Last year, 5,000 Pennsylvanians died from an opioid overdose. But Republicans aren’t sure it’s an emergency.
Since 2018, Governor Tom Wolf has issued a disaster declaration that lets people into drug treatment faster, and agencies to share resources more freely.
But General Assembly Republicans are refusing to let Gov. Wolf extend it before it expires on August 26.
Pennsylvania’s Democrats in Congress urged the General Assembly to immediately return to extend the declaration, warning “now is not the time to abandon this vulnerable population — to do so will have tragic and deadly consequences.”
Governor Wolf had previously been able to extend the declaration on his own
But this year, Republicans passed a Constitutional amendment reducing his emergency powers to deal with epidemics like COVID-19 and opioids.
This is why Turn PA Blue doesn’t take off years. We organize year-round to elect more and better Democrats, and hold right-wing extremists accountable. Will you stand with us?
Tell the General Assembly: Pennsylvanians are dying. Extend the opioid disaster declaration now!
Thanks for standing up.
— Turn PA Blue