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Since the current Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968, itâs been amended more than 40 times.
In this yearâs primary, set for May 18, voters have the opportunity to add an additional three amendments.
First, there is a proposed amendment that would prohibit the denial of an individualâs rights under Pennsylvania law because of their race or ethnicity. The proposal has proven to be largely uncontroversial and has stirred no organized opposition.
Two other proposed amendments, on the other hand, have stirred much more urgent debate. Both arising from the coronavirus pandemic, one would automatically end any disaster declarations after 21 days and prevent a governor from extending it, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the Legislature also agrees. The other, related amendment would give the Legislature the power to terminate or extend a disaster declaration without the governorâs approval.
The Gov. Tom Wolf administration said Tuesday it will lift COVID-19 mitigation on Memorial Day with the exception of the face mask order.
The face mask requirements will be lifted once 70% of adults are vaccinated against the virus and according to future guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Health Department said.
âWe continue to make significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, and as more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the CDC evolves, we can continue to move forward with our reopening efforts,â Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said in a news release.
Pennsylvania will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments to all adults Tuesday, about a week ahead of the federal deadline to make them available.
Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday that the state needed to speed up the vaccine rollout due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and an increase in virus-related hospitalizations. Western Pennsylvania has hosted a number of vaccine clinics in recent days where supply has outstripped demand, said state Rep. Tim O Neal, a member of the state s COVID-19 vaccine task force.
âIâm pleased we are able to speed up eligibility so that all Pennsylvanians who want a vaccine can schedule one, said O Neal, R-South Strabane Township.