On May 18, we will have two constitutional amendments on the ballot addressing emergency declarations and powers. These amendments, if passed, will right the wrong of the past year of an executive branch that has exceeded its bounds and would allow the Legislature to have a voice on an emergency declaration after 21 days.
During the past year, Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed 19-plus bills the Legislature has sent, attempting to ease mitigation methods and reopen Pennsylvania. His administration has refused to work with the House and Senate on multiple occasions. It has been truly troubling to witness our state senators and representatives be met by defiance as businesses suffered and closed.
What’s also concerning is the precedent this sets. If these amendments are not passed, and the voice of the citizens of Pennsylvania’s house restored, this becomes a newfound power for any governor, Democrat or Republican, to abuse based on any emergency, permitting them to rule by executive fiat.
So when you go to the polls on May 18, I implore you to vote “yes” for the future of our state and to restore our voice in Harrisburg.
Shawn Fitzgerald Jr.
Springdale