AdvertisementBy The Morning CallApr 21, 2021 at 7:41 pmHARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf told reporters Wednesday the “general idea” on when a full reopening of businesses in the state could happen is two weeks after 65-70% of the state’s population is vaccinated for COVID-19, allowing that extra time for “herd immunity.”Wolf made the comment during a news conference at a vaccine site in Bradford County. About 26.5% of the state population already has received two doses.AdvertisementAsked by a reporter if he had a metric to gauge when a 100% reopening could occur, Wolf said he has no single metric...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallApr 21, 2021 at 7:41 pmHARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf told reporters Wednesday the “general idea” on when a full reopening of businesses in the state could happen is two weeks after 65-70% of the state’s population is vaccinated for COVID-19, allowing that extra time for “herd immunity.”Wolf made the comment during a news conference at a vaccine site in Bradford County. About 26.5% of the state population already has received two doses.AdvertisementAsked by a reporter if he had a metric to gauge when a 100% reopening could occur, Wolf said he has no single metric...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallFeb 24, 2021 at 5:45 pmHARRISBURG — The wording of statewide ballot questions limiting Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency powers stirred up controversy Wednesday, with some lawmakers calling it slanted and others calling it fair.Voters will see the two questions — which seek approval for changes to the state constitution — on the May 18 primary election ballot.AdvertisementTheir wording was crafted by the Department of State under Wolf, a Democrat, and it already has been advertised in newspapers.Republicans launched public criticism of the questions at a morning news...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallFeb 24, 2021 at 5:45 pmHARRISBURG — The wording of statewide ballot questions limiting Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency powers stirred up controversy Wednesday, with some lawmakers calling it slanted and others calling it fair.Voters will see the two questions — which seek approval for changes to the state constitution — on the May 18 primary election ballot.AdvertisementTheir wording was crafted by the Department of State under Wolf, a Democrat, and it already has been advertised in newspapers.Republicans launched public criticism of the questions at a morning news...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallJan 28, 2021 at 6:32 pmHARRISBURG — The electronic backbone of Pennsylvania’s election system — the software that holds every voter’s registration data and election participation — is being replaced, to the “rejoicing” of elections officials statewide. Lehigh County Election Board Chief Clerk Timothy Benyo used that word Thursday during a hearing as he and others spoke on the pending replacement of the State Uniform Registry of Electors system.AdvertisementThe replacement plan started long before the partisan chaos of the presidential election. Snyder County...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallJan 28, 2021 at 6:32 pmHARRISBURG — The electronic backbone of Pennsylvania’s election system — the software that holds every voter’s registration data and election participation — is being replaced, to the “rejoicing” of elections officials statewide. Lehigh County Election Board Chief Clerk Timothy Benyo used that word Thursday during a hearing as he and others spoke on the pending replacement of the State Uniform Registry of Electors system.AdvertisementThe replacement plan started long before the partisan chaos of the presidential election. Snyder County...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallNov 24, 2020 at 8:52 pmHARRISBURG — The Wolf administration on Monday announced sweeping new coronavirus mitigation measures that included a one-night stoppage of alcohol sales at bars and restaurants starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, and an advisory ― not an order ― that Pennsylvanians stay at home if at all possible.Gov. Tom Wolf appeared with Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine at an online news conference on a day the state reported nearly 12,000 more cases of the virus over a two-day period. The number of deaths in the state linked to COVID-19 is approaching...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallNov 24, 2020 at 8:52 pmHARRISBURG — The Wolf administration on Monday announced sweeping new coronavirus mitigation measures that included a one-night stoppage of alcohol sales at bars and restaurants starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, and an advisory ― not an order ― that Pennsylvanians stay at home if at all possible.Gov. Tom Wolf appeared with Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine at an online news conference on a day the state reported nearly 12,000 more cases of the virus over a two-day period. The number of deaths in the state linked to COVID-19 is approaching...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallNov 18, 2020 at 6:46 pmHARRISBURG — A Republican-led state House committee Wednesday afternoon advanced a proposal for a statistics-oriented audit of the 2020 election, citing a “litany of inconsistencies” in the way the election was carried out and a resulting loss of public confidence.The vote by the State Government Committee to approve the measure fell along party lines, with 15 Republicans in favor and 10 Democrats against it.AdvertisementThe prime sponsor of the resolution, Republican Rep. Jesse Topper of Bedford County, said the full House might vote...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallNov 18, 2020 at 6:46 pmHARRISBURG — A Republican-led state House committee Wednesday afternoon advanced a proposal for a statistics-oriented audit of the 2020 election, citing a “litany of inconsistencies” in the way the election was carried out and a resulting loss of public confidence.The vote by the State Government Committee to approve the measure fell along party lines, with 15 Republicans in favor and 10 Democrats against it.AdvertisementThe prime sponsor of the resolution, Republican Rep. Jesse Topper of Bedford County, said the full House might vote...WW…

To wild cheers from thousands of supporters who lined up in a cold rain hours before his speech, President Donald Trump took the stage at a Northampton County rally Monday morning, launching into a familiar litany of campaign claims and warning of “massive fraud” as the only way he will lose reelection. The rally at HoverTech International, a medical equipment maker in Hanover Township, was meant to cement support in a swing county in a swing state that Trump won by the slimmest of margins in 2016, one he will almost certainly need to win again to prevail against Democratic opponent Joe...…To wild cheers from thousands of supporters who lined up in a cold rain hours before his speech, President Donald Trump took the stage at a Northampton County rally Monday morning, launching into a familiar litany of campaign claims and warning of “massive fraud” as the only way he will lose reelection. The rally at HoverTech International, a medical equipment maker in Hanover Township, was meant to cement support in a swing county in a swing state that Trump won by the slimmest of margins in 2016, one he will almost certainly need to win again to prevail against Democratic opponent Joe...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallOct 22, 2020 at 2:10 pmHARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday said he is working with the state Liquor Control Board to waive liquor license fees to help restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels — businesses that have been battered financially during the coronavirus pandemic.Wolf, speaking at a news conference, said the need to mitigate coronavirus spread caused “really severe” financial harm to the businesses. He wants the PLCB to approve a waiver of the standard liquor licensing fees for bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels through 2021, starting Jan....…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallOct 22, 2020 at 2:10 pmHARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday said he is working with the state Liquor Control Board to waive liquor license fees to help restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels — businesses that have been battered financially during the coronavirus pandemic.Wolf, speaking at a news conference, said the need to mitigate coronavirus spread caused “really severe” financial harm to the businesses. He wants the PLCB to approve a waiver of the standard liquor licensing fees for bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels through 2021, starting Jan....WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallOct 13, 2020 at 11:13 amTOBYHANNA — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday once again prodded the Republican-led Legislature to legalize recreational use of marijuana, in part to generate revenue to repair damage done to the state’s finances by the coronavirus pandemic.Republicans pushed back.AdvertisementA spokeswoman referred to an earlier statement from Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman of Centre County, which said Wolf’s push for marijuana legalization during COVID-19 brought to mind the Winston Churchill quote, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”And a...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallOct 13, 2020 at 11:13 amTOBYHANNA — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday once again prodded the Republican-led Legislature to legalize recreational use of marijuana, in part to generate revenue to repair damage done to the state’s finances by the coronavirus pandemic.Republicans pushed back.AdvertisementA spokeswoman referred to an earlier statement from Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman of Centre County, which said Wolf’s push for marijuana legalization during COVID-19 brought to mind the Winston Churchill quote, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”And a...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Morning CallApr 30, 2020 at 3:20 pmHARRISBURG — On the eve of his anticipated announcement of a partial reopening of at least small parts of coronavirus-ravaged Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf said people in those places would be living a sort of experiment.They would be, he said, the first Pennsylvanians to go about life under eased restrictions since the virus triggered a statewide shutdown. The virus will still be a threat to them, and masks and social distancing will still be needed, Wolf said, but the rest of the state will be watching closely.Advertisement“It is going...…AdvertisementBy The Morning CallApr 30, 2020 at 3:20 pmHARRISBURG — On the eve of his anticipated announcement of a partial reopening of at least small parts of coronavirus-ravaged Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf said people in those places would be living a sort of experiment.They would be, he said, the first Pennsylvanians to go about life under eased restrictions since the virus triggered a statewide shutdown. The virus will still be a threat to them, and masks and social distancing will still be needed, Wolf said, but the rest of the state will be watching closely.Advertisement“It is going...WW…