Burns: Sports crowd size changes a ‘step in the right direction’

Changes ease restrictions on crowd sizes at sports, concerts, other events

EBENSBURG, Oct.  6 – After weeks of pushing back against the governor’s restrictions on crowd sizes at sporting and other community events, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, said the changes announced today mark a “step in the right direction” for Pennsylvania’s eventual return to normalcy.

“Although this is not perfect, it is much better than the previous restrictions which, among other things prohibited parents and grandparents from watching their son or daughter play,” Burns said. “There’s few things as American as fall sports, and while this change might not go as far as we’d like, letting families and fans back into the stands in our communities is a step toward returning Pennsylvania to normalcy.”

Burns had pushed hard for a change to the governor’s restrictions, joining a bipartisan effort to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have solidified local school district control of extracurricular activities, including sports, and allowed districts to set their own rules for spectators at games and competitions.

“Two weeks ago, the legislature made it loud and clear that a majority of Pennsylvanians want to be able to attend local sporting and other events,” Burns said. “I’ve consistently voted to reopen Pennsylvania in a safe manner, to put people back to work, and now, for parents to watch their kids play. I’ll never stop fighting for the freedoms of the people I represent.”

Since the start of the pandemic, Burns has consistently voted and advocated to balance the safety of workers and families with the need to allow businesses to safely reopen. He voted 30 times to open local businesses, including five times to end the governor's shutdown. He has also consistently and publicly questioned the administration about its response and pressed for more details on the metrics used in making decisions about reopening Pennsylvania’s economy.