Upcoming ballot questions concerning state emergencies
Newswatch 16 s Elizabeth Worthington explains two of the ballot questions that lawmakers are urging voters to consider before heading to the polls on Tuesday. Author: Elizabeth Worthington Updated: 9:31 PM EDT May 13, 2021
SCRANTON, Pa. It s a debate that a lot of people have had since the first statewide shutdown last March: How much power should the governor have in an emergency or disaster?
That debate is now on the ballot.
Two proposed amendments would essentially take some of the power out of the hands of the governor and give it to the state legislature.
The governor would still maintain the power to initially issue an emergency declaration, but the first proposal is to allow the legislature to end or extend that emergency declaration without the governor s approval.