Voters One Step Closer to Balancing Branches of Government
House committee advances Cutler’s proposed constitutional amendments
HARRISBURG – Continuing efforts by the General Assembly to ensure no single person, authority or interest can outweigh the voices of the people of the Commonwealth, the House State Government committee advanced
House Bills 2069 and
2070, two proposed amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would restore the balance of power to the three-branch system of governing.
The amendments, sponsored by House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), would:
o
Amend Article IV to add a new section providing that any executive order or proclamation issued by the governor, which purports to have the force of law, may not be in effect for more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly.
o
Amend Article III, Section 9, to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the governor’s approval or disapproval.
“Our Constitution is very clear that no single branch of our government, nor any unelected bureaucrat, should ever have the unilateral and unchecked authority to issue open-ended orders or regulations,” Cutler said. “The people of Pennsylvania deserve the opportunity to decide how they are ruled now, and at all times.”
The constitutional amendment process requires passage in both chambers in consecutive legislative sessions, followed by a ballot referendum.
“Our Constitution remains the steadfast guide our Commonwealth needs to navigate these difficult times,” Cutler added. “The divisions of power and checks and balances among our three branches of government are the very components of why free people allow themselves to be governed.”
The bills now advance to the full House for consideration.
Speaker Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives