Mastriano: General Assembly Approves Proposed Constitutional Amendment Requiring Legislative Vote on Extended Disaster Declarations

HARRISBURGSenator Doug Mastriano (R-33) supported a constitutional amendment this week that would limit the length of future emergency disaster declarations, unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly.

Under current law, a governor’s emergency declaration can last up to 90 days and be renewed – by the governor – indefinitely. Under Senate Bill 1166, the emergency declaration would be limited to 21 days unless the General Assembly approved a longer duration. It also clarifies that the legislature is not required to present the resolution ending the declaration to the governor for his consideration.

“Pennsylvanians have been loud and clear expressing their concern that the existing Emergency Declaration process is not working,” said Mastriano. “This legislation will bring checks and balances back to state government, as well as less corruption, more transparency, more accountability and more interaction.”

Senate Bill 1166 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.

As a constitutional amendment, the legislation must be approved again in the next legislative session before being put on the ballot for voters to decide.  Limiting the length of an emergency declaration would ensure greater cooperation between all branches of government during an emergency and restore the system of checks and balances that Pennsylvania’s government was founded upon.

Mastriano introduced a similar proposal in June: https://redesign.senatormastriano.com/2020/06/12/mastriano-introduces-measure-to-update-emergency-declaration-process/

For four months, Governor Wolf has used the COVID-19 disaster declaration to suspend state statutes, spend taxpayer dollars without legislative approval, and keep millions of Pennsylvanians from earning a living through his business shutdown orders. His refusal to work with the General Assembly makes clear the critical need for this constitutional amendment.

CONTACT: fbinner@pasen.gov

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