Under current law, a governor’s emergency declaration can last up to 90 days and be renewed by the governor indefinitely. Under Senate Bill 1166, the emergency declaration would be limited to 21 days unless the General Assembly approved a longer duration. It also clarifies that the legislature is not required to present the resolution ending the declaration to the governor for his consideration.
“More than four months after Governor Wolf issued his emergency declaration, the residents, business owners and employers across the 23rd Senate District continue to live under his restrictions,” Sen. Yaw said. “As we have seen first-hand over that timeframe, the governor has, on numerous occasions, muted the concerns of the public, as well as their elected representatives. It is clear, the governor should not have the autonomous power to restrict the voices of Pennsylvanians for this length of time. It’s my belief that any extended emergency declaration not only warrants, but necessitates the engagement of the Legislature, which is not presently required under the Pennsylvania Constitution. I am pleased to see this bill move forward.
Limiting the length of an emergency declaration would ensure greater cooperation between all branches of government during an emergency and restore the system of checks and balances that Pennsylvania’s government was founded upon, Yaw noted.
For four months, Governor Wolf has used the COVID-19 disaster declaration to suspend state statutes, spend taxpayer dollars without legislative approval, and keep millions of Pennsylvanians from earning a living through his business shutdown orders. His refusal to work with the General Assembly makes clear the critical need for this constitutional amendment.