Burns votes to safely, fairly reopen businesses

Bill would require business waivers for garden centers, salons, animal groomers and manufacturing

HARRISBURG, May 14 – Experiencing firsthand how local small-business owners are suffering under the heavy hand of the governor, Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, joined a bipartisan coalition voting to send a pro-business bill to the governor’s desk to allow numerous industries to reopen, provided that they comply with CDC guidelines.

“The governor’s policies, while well intended, have had a disastrous effect on many of our local businesses,” Burns said. “Our local business owners don’t want to spread the coronavirus – they simply want to put food on the table and let their employees do the same.”

H.B. 2388, which the House today concurred in Senate changes, is on its way to the governor’s desk. The bill, if signed, would require the secretary of Community and Economic Development to immediately issue a waiver to the COVID-19 Business Closure Order to: vehicle dealers, lawn and garden centers, cosmetologists, salons, barber shops, messenger and agent services, animal grooming services, and manufacturing operations.

H.B. 2412, which Burns and legislators also voted to approve and send to the governor, would do the same for the real estate industry.

“As the son of small-business owners, I was raised to always stand up for the little guy, and I haven't forgotten where I come from or who I represent,” Burns said. “This vote isn’t about politics; it’s about doing what’s right. It's about restoring the American dream."