Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday introduced a “Plan for Pennsylvania” that would “allow for a safe and expedient reopening” of businesses closed due to the coronavirus — “a reopening process that protects Pennsylvanians and helps to stabilize the economy,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.

But the plan is woefully short on specifics, according to three Blair County lawmakers, all members of the Republican Party, which controls the General Assembly that presented Wolf with two bills this week that would have sped up reopening — bills the governor plans to veto.

Under Senate Bill 613, the governor would have to create clear guidelines based on federal standards for businesses to operate during the COVID-19 and allow those that can meet the new guidelines to reopen.

SB 327 would allow county governments to develop and implement their own COVID-19 mitigation plans.

Because the coronavirus infection curve has flattened, the administration said it began working with economic and public health experts in various state departments “to determine the metrics” for a safe, “sector-based” reopening, with appropriate “guidance for businesses, local governments, workers, customers, and others,” Wolf stated in the news release, which otherwise touted relief efforts already undertaken and listed favored policies to help in the eventual economic recovery.

“Today was a whole lot of nothing,” said state Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Altoona. “Simply calling something a plan doesn’t make it a plan.”

Next week, there will be more specifics, Wolf said in a webcast Friday in which he explained that the reopening needs to be “data driven,” that it must rely on “quantifiable data,” that it must be accompanied by adequate testing, sufficient personal protective gear for health workers, along with capacity for monitoring and surveillance to allow for quick response in case of outbreaks.

“We’re all anxious to reopen,” Wolf said. “But we can’t exacerbate the damage. We need to be careful and deliberate.”

“We need to reopen Pennsylvania as safely as we possibly can,” Schmitt said. “But we need that plan now — not tomorrow.”

Unless the reopening happens soon, it risks “irreparable damage” to the economy, Schmitt said.

The closure of “non-essential” businesses has put large segments of the economy “to sleep,” and if those closures last much longer, those businesses might not wake up, Schmitt said.

The governor was too “vague,” according to state Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair.

“He didn’t give people the answers they need,” Ward said. “(They’re) getting antsy.”

The governor’s planned vetoes are unfortunate, because Senate Bills 613 and 327 were not “unreasonable” and wouldn’t have compromised safety, Ward said.

Both Friday’s announcement and the governor’s planned vetoes were “disappointing,” said state Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Hollidaysburg.

Wolf did outline an ambitious post-reopening recovery agenda.

“That framework must include, at a minimum:” fair, family sustaining wages; expansion of paid sick leave and family and medical leave; expansion of child care; strengthened unemployment and workers’ compensation programs; support of distance learning for all students, with stress on equity; expanded student loan forgiveness and repayment programs, especially for those on “the front lines” of the COVID crisis; expanded rapid re-employment programs for those laid off by COVID closures; affordable and transparent health care coverage for all Pennsylvanians; insurance coverage choice; an end to surprise out-of-network bills that are part of in-network care; transparency for short-term health coverage; investment in low-income housing; and prioritization of community-based services for children, people with disabilities and seniors to reduce congregate care, Wolf said.

“These kinds of things won’t put Pennsylvania on a good footing to get the economy back on track,” Ward said. “I don’t feel like those policy items he mentioned would be helpful to an economy already crippled,” she said, citing the governor’s support of a $15 minimum wage.

“There will be a robust discussion” about those long-favored Wolf policies, but only after businesses have reopened, Schmitt predicted.

Wolf may not be using those policy preferences as a bargaining chip in reopening the economy, but if the emergency declaration continues, he might be tempted to impose some of them afterward, which is concerning, Ward indicated.

To benefit businesses after the economy reopens, Wolf is calling for an evidence-based state innovation strategy to attract workers and companies; vigorous financial support for small businesses; economic development incentives; investments in manufacturing; an upgrade of broadband to ensure universal internet access; investments in agriculture; and support for non-profits.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.