Gaydos Reacts to Governor’s New Student Mask Mandate

September 1, 2021

HARRISBURG – Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Gov. Tom Wolf to implement a statewide mask mandate for all students, staff and faculty in K-12 schools, early learning and child care centers.

“On Aug. 6, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Noe Ortega stated in a Senate hearing that a school district’s funding would not be impacted by decisions made at the local level. In addition, Gov. Wolf stated that there would be no statewide mask mandate.

“Pennsylvania voters cast their ballot in May to reflect local matters should be decided by locally elected school board officials and parents from the community who are in the best position to make decisions about their families. The boards of directors from each school district developed and submitted their health and safety plans, as required by the state to address the needs of the district.

“Not all parents agreed with the school board decisions; however, it was a local matter for local communities to solve and work out as it should be.

“The bottom line is: This is not a discussion about wearing a mask or not wearing a mask. This is about something much more important. It is about a government that cannot get out of its own way and needs to work better and more consistently for us. That is rule of law. Instead, it has been confusing, contradictory and only serving to create further divide. That must stop immediately! We must come together as communities and decide what is best for our children. But that is not what has happened.

“Communities should be allowed to work out this issue themselves as was promised and voted for. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure it.”

Representative Valerie Gaydos
44th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437
rleiner@pahousegop.com
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