Ecker Issues Statement on Senate Advancing His Transparency Bill

May 11, 2021

HARRISBURG – The Senate State Government Committee today advanced legislation by Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) to protect vital records relating to the COVID-19 pandemic from being destroyed before they can be fully examined. Ecker issued the following statement:

“House Bill 854 would shine a brighter light onto how exactly the Wolf administration handled the pandemic. From the start of the response, serious questions have been raised, such as how the administration selected which businesses are considered ‘life sustaining’ and what criteria was used to allow certain businesses to receive waivers to remain open. Transparency by the administration is needed now more than ever.

“It is incredibly important records be retained for a longer period of time so that we, as policy makers, as well as the public, can take a closer look into the handling of the pandemic. We must find out what worked and learn from mistakes that may have occurred, so we are better prepared should a similar event occur. The best way to accomplish that is with improved transparency on the part of the Wolf administration.”

House Bill 854 would require that state agencies and their contractors retain COVID-19 records for 10 years after the current state of emergency declaration relating to the pandemic, which has been in place for more than a year, comes to an end.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Representative Torren Ecker
193rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepEcker.com / Facebook.com/RepTorrenEcker