Jun. 30, 2021
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s vetoes of
House Bill 1300 and funding that was included in the 2021-22 state budget that created a Bureau of Election Audits within the Department of the Auditor General.
“At a time when our citizens overwhelmingly support making necessary improvements in the administration, access and security of our elections, the governor has missed an incredible opportunity to make Pennsylvania elections a national standard instead of a national embarrassment.
“House Bill 1300 was a comprehensive, well-developed path forward that would have significantly increased voter access, made necessary changes to the administration of elections, and modernized our electoral systems to the benefit of all eligible voters.
“The inclusion of $3.1 million in the state budget for an independent Bureau of Election Audits within the state’s Department of the Auditor General would have promoted integrity and confidence in election results and processes, and helped identify weaknesses so that additional reforms could be enacted.
“Today, the governor may have denied House Bill 1300 from becoming law and he may have prevented Pennsylvania from being the first state in the nation in advancing truly independent election audits, but the ultimate result of these choices is the continued erosion of confidence in the foundation of our Republic.
“Trust is a fragile and delicate thing. It is very easy to break and lose and one of the hardest things to earn back.
“I worry that today’s actions not only rob the people of their fundamental rights to free and fair elections, but these choices work against the assurances that government should give to all people - that their votes are cast and counted without question.
“I will use every tool available to me to work to enact these important changes and am more committed than ever to making sure that no one, regardless of their position in government, works against the sanctity of the bedrock principle that governs a free people – the right to choose for themselves through lawfully conducted elections.”
Speaker Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Straub
717-260-6397
mstraub@pahousegop.com
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