With time running out on the current legislative session, the state House this week passed several measures that propose amendments to the Pennsylvania constitution.
Representative Jim Struzzi voted for all of them, including two that deal directly with elections. One is a requirement that all voters present a valid ID each time they vote, whether it’s by mail or in person. The state would provide an ID to anyone who does not have one. The other election-related amendment would require comprehensive auditing of every election.
Two additional amendments aim to curb the power of the governor to act unilaterally instead of involving the legislature in state actions. One limits executive orders to 21 days unless extended by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly, and the other grants the General Assembly the power to fully disapprove of a regulation without the threat of a governor’s veto. Those two amendments were added to a Senate bill that proposes an amendment changing the way the lieutenant governor is elected. It allows candidates for governor to choose their running mate rather than accept a candidate chosen by independent election.
In order to amend the state Constitution, the proposal must be passed in identical form by the House and Senate in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then approved by voters in a referendum.
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