'Unprecedented Damage To The Economy': Area Politician, Businesses Challenge Gov. Wolf Stay-At-Home Order With Lawsuit
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local politician along with some area businesses are challenging Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the court filing, the campaign for Allegheny County Republican Danny DeVito, a state house candidate, along with some local businesses, say what Gov. Wolf is doing is causing "unprecedented damage to the economy."
The request was jointly filed by DeVito's campaign along with realtor Kathy Gregory, "B and J" Laundry, Blueberry Hill Golf Course and the Caledonia Land Company. They say they believe businesses should reopen now and that if they don't, they may never recover.
Last night, they asked the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay on Gov. Wolf's order to close all non-life sustaining businesses due to the pandemic.
They say without intervention, tens of thousands of other businesses may not be able to recover from the severe financial distress caused by the order.
"We came to the conclusion that he does not have the statutory authority to engage in this type of shutdown and that he also lacks constitutional authority," said DeVito.
He also says it's been a process to get to this point. They first went to the State Supreme Court, but the challenge got rejected.
"We're going to continue fighting. We're talking with small business owners, we're going to be using our platform to raise awareness," said DeVito.
Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court rejected the challenge to the governor's order.
Meanwhile, Governor Wolf wants to reopen the state in three phases beginning next month.
He has said that the "stay at home order" is the best way to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
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