Pennsylvania Senate approves tries to limit governor's emergency powers

While House Votes to Help Open Economy

By Christen Smith | The Center Square

"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 ruling issued July 1 determined current law requires otherwise."

Read the rest of the story online at: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-senate-approves-constitutional-amendments-to-limit-governors-emergency-powers/article_36046366-c79d-11ea-a949-4f0a02e9d0a4.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-sticky-siderail-latest

Meanwhile, the PA House has been active in improving the overall economy and limit the Governor’s powers.

The House approved two bills this week to give county officials with the guidance from the County Department of Health and Emergency Management the authority to develop their own reopening plans. 

The first, House Bill 2541, would allow the governing body of a county, in consultation with the county emergency management agency, county health department, county health officer or any other appropriate health or emergency management official, to develop and implement a countywide reopening plan for businesses subject to closure by the governor due to the spread of a communicable disease during a public health emergency.

House Bill 2549 would permit county leaders to move their counties to a “green plus” phase of business reopening, based on the specific conditions in their counties. Empowering local decisionmakers who see firsthand the specific circumstances and challenges in their communities would be more effective than a one-size-fits-all response when it comes to helping employers reopen and recover. 

Both measures go to the Senate for consideration.