PA Emergency Declarations to be voted on BY THE PEOPLE

[Xringshooter]

Got this from Senator Jake Corman (Senate Pro Tempore):

Voters in the May 18 primary election will decide whether future emergency declarations should be limited to 21 days unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly. The question will appear on the ballot this spring after the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the proposed constitutional amendment in two consecutive legislative sessions.

The change would prevent the kind of situation we have seen during the COVID-19 emergency, in which the governor has used the emergency declaration to suspend laws, shut down businesses and spend money without the authorization of the General Assembly.

The bill would not impact a governor’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies, nor would it jeopardize federal emergency aid. It would only ensure that the governor and the General Assembly work together to respond to a crisis and ensure all Pennsylvanians are represented during an extended state of emergency.

The bill also provides for a constitutional amendment prohibiting the denial of equal rights based on race or ethnicity, bringing the Pennsylvania Constitution in line with the U.S. Constitution.

[streaker69]

I'd like the GA to order a full audit on then funds spent by the Governor related to all this SoE's since he took office.

[bogey1]

I'd like the GA to order a full audit on then funds spent by the Governor related to all this SoE's since he took office.

He'll be out of office by then and what are they going to do, impeach him
If her were a republican, now thats a different story.

[fallenleader]

I'd like the GA to order a full audit on then funds spent by the Governor related to all this SoE's since he took office.

i'd like to see this as well. also an audit of the fed, if it even matters anymore, the dollar is irreparably ruined.
but we know the answer:
"we have spent tens of millions of your money to exhaustively investigate ourselves and our finding is that we have spent your money effectively and with great prudence, continue to make all checks payable to 1234 treasury dept.
P.S. donations always welcome"

[internet troll]

Got this from Senator Jake Corman (Senate Pro Tempore):

Voters in the May 18 primary election will decide whether future emergency declarations should be limited to 21 days unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly. The question will appear on the ballot this spring after the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the proposed constitutional amendment in two consecutive legislative sessions.

The change would prevent the kind of situation we have seen during the COVID-19 emergency, in which the governor has used the emergency declaration to suspend laws, shut down businesses and spend money without the authorization of the General Assembly.

The bill would not impact a governor*s ability to respond quickly to emergencies, nor would it jeopardize federal emergency aid. It would only ensure that the governor and the General Assembly work together to respond to a crisis and ensure all Pennsylvanians are represented during an extended state of emergency.

The bill also provides for a constitutional amendment prohibiting the denial of equal rights based on race or ethnicity, bringing the Pennsylvania Constitution in line with the U.S. Constitution.

Good, sad to say but this is needed. Don*t know how the vote will go though.

1. Primary elections have small turnouts
2. People are often unaware of the questions and/or forget about the question.
3. Often times questions are worded in ways that people don*t get the meaning of the question and answer it differently than they would if they understood the question
4. Maybe people like the governor having that kind of power. I just don*t know anymore.

[lager1829]

I doubt it will get any mention in the left wing media. They cheered the lockdown and the misery it caused.

[Walleye Hunter]

I doubt it will get any mention in the left wing media. They cheered the lockdown and the misery it caused.

I would view that as a good thing, as it would not entice them to vote on it.

[esh21167]

Good, sad to say but this is needed. Don*t know how the vote will go though.

1. Primary elections have small turnouts
2. People are often unaware of the questions and/or forget about the question.
3. Often times questions are worded in ways that people don*t get the meaning of the question and answer it differently than they would if they understood the question
4. Maybe people like the governor having that kind of power. I just don*t know anymore.

These points could be beneficial or harmful. I think that conservatives/Republicans probably have better primary turnout, so perhaps more likely that such a measure has a chance. OTOH, these questions are often constructed in a way that seems to influence people to vote a certain way.

Your #3 point is absolutely valid. People will usually vote for a positive statement and against a negative one. Consider:

Require a state of emergency declared by the governor to be approved by the GA within 21 days for its continuance. Sound positive. Vote yes.

OR

Prevent the governor's ability to declare a state of emergency without GA approval within 21 days. Sounds negative. Vote no.

[JenniferG]

After the extreme abuse of power by an out of control governor this should be part of the PA Constitution so emergency powers cannot be abused for political and personal gain ever again.

[staylo]

I*m glad the Republicans did this. It*ll also take the decision out of the hands of SCOPA as well, assuming it passes. It*s pretty pathetic though that it requires a constitutional amendment to prevent the governor and the highest court in the state from sticking it to the citizens.