Pennsylvania Senate approves constitutional amendments to limit governor's emergency powers

Constitutional amendments meant to limit the governor’s emergency powers passed the Senate this week, officially clearing the first hurdle in the path to the ballot.

The chamber voted 33-17 to concur on Senate Bill 1166, with four Democrats breaking from the minority party to support the measure. The vote comes one day after House lawmakers amended the bill to include language that requires the governor seek legislative approval for any extension of a disaster declaration beyond 21 days.

It also specifies that a concurrent resolution passed in the General Assembly need not be presented to the governor in order to become effective – this after a state Supreme Court rulingissued July 1 determined current law requires otherwise.

“Long-term declarations of emergency warrant the engagement of the General Assembly,” Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, said. “Under the state Constitution, we are supposed to have three co-equal branches of government. This Constitutional amendment is about protecting the institution of the Senate and the balance of power that has been lost throughout this emergency”