ABC PA joined forces with 20 construction, consulting, and design industries to ask the Governor to recognize residential and commercial construction as a life sustaining business. See the joint statement below:
March 25, 2020
RE: Joint request to recognize residential and commercial construction as a life sustaining business
Governor Tom Wolf:
The Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has impacted our personal and professional lives. We fully recognize the enormous challenge you face and support your goal to balance public health and economic stability. Secretary Rachel Levine, MD, is to be commended for providing vital information to Pennsylvanians in her daily updates and public health recommendations.
These historic times call for unity across all spectrums. Therefore, members of the construction, consulting, and design industries have united to ask you to recognize residential and commercial construction as a life sustaining business.
Under Secretary Levine’s guidance, the residential and commercial construction industry has taken the necessary precautions to protect workers and the public from COVID-19 spread. Both residential and commercial construction sites are unique workplaces with built in social distancing. Jobsites are controlled, have safety protocols in place, and many require separation from the general public.
Our collective members have voiced many concerns: it is extremely difficult to shut down a commercial construction site in such a constricted timeframe. Similarly, stopping residential construction projects without proper preparation can lead to insect infestation, negative environmental impacts, and mold. Of great concern, bringing projects to an immediate halt will create additional backlogs and add to the challenges of economic recovery. And clearly, we are very concerned about workers across our industry who are worried about providing for their families through the health crisis.
Other state Governors, including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, that have issued similar executive orders took steps to exempt construction. We encourage you to take this same approach so we can continue our critical work.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss this request further to provide you with technical assistance and help answer any questions you may have. By working together, we can find the right solution to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure without creating risks in the fight against COVID-19.
Sincerely,
American Concrete Pavement Association, Pennsylvania Chapter American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania The American Institute of Architects of Pennsylvania American Subcontractors Association of Central Pennsylvania American Subcontractors Association of Western Pennsylvania Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania Building Industry Association of Philadelphia Central Pennsylvania Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors Gordian Heating Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International National Association of Electrical Distributors National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association National Utility Contractors Association of Pennsylvania North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors North American Building Material Distribution Association Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association Pennsylvania Builders Association Pennsylvania Builders Exchange Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association Pennsylvania Precast Association
cc:
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa Members of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee Members of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee Speaker Mike Turzai House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler House Minority Leader Frank Dermody Members of the House Labor & Industry Committee Members of the House Commerce Committee