mreuther@sungazette.com
Voters heading to the polls this primary election will be faced not only with candidate choices but with four ballot questions.
Three of the questions potentially amend the state constitution, two of which determine the future of Disaster Declarations. The other considers denial of equal rights based on race or ethnicity.
The fourth ballot question is a budget referendum regarding funding for paid municipal fire departments and EMS companies.
Lycoming County Democratic Committee Chair Linda Sosniak and state Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township, recently spoke to the referendums.
The first referendum reads: “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration–and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration–through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?”