• Nothing Seen Like This Before. Many in this state and country are waking up daily to more and more restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Early in the week, PA Governor Tom Wolf took unprecedented actions by asking all non-essential businesses to voluntarily close their doors and encourage people to remain inside.  But, by week’s end these restrictions became more firm and real as on Thursday the Governor issued an Executive Order closing all businesses that are not “life-sustaining.”  APC put material on it’s website providing more details on the meaning of such declarations.  Go here to view that.  The highway construction—as well as all construction activity—appears to be affected and subsequently shut down.  APC is work feverishly to seek clarification and have construction activities resume as soon as possible as other states have not halted their construction programs as they have been deemed “essential services” for the benefit of the general public.
  • Everyone Work From Home. Working from home is now more common across our state than it was just a few weeks ago.  This week the General Assembly took historic emergency actions to do just the same.  Both the PA Senate and Houses passed amendments to its governing rules to allow for remote voting and participation’s by the elected legislators in active legislative session.  The rule changes, however, are limited to the General Assembly’s ability to deal with emergency legislation as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or any related declaration of emergency resulting from the virus outbreak.
  • The Show Must Go On. With all that was happening this week, three new representatives were elected to the House of Representatives during Special Elections held earlier this week.  These vacancies were created by resignations when previously elected representative took local county offices.  The Republicans swept all three elections.  Eric Davanzo was elected from Westmoreland County; Tim Bonner from Mercer County; and K.C. Tomlinson from Bucks County.
  • Turnpike Talks With APC Members. APC hosted a webinar this week with PA Turnpike Commission Chief Engineer Brad Heigel.  Heigel walked through the Turnpike’s capital program and other major initiatives.  If you missed it, you can view it by clicking HERE.