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A constitutional amendment designed to limit the governor’s powers to extend emergency disaster declarations could make its way to a voter referendum as early as this spring.
State Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, a Hempfield Republican and one of Gov. Tom Wolf’s harshest critics, sponsored the proposed amendment that would limit the disaster declarations, currently capped at 90 days with provisions for indefinite extensions, to 21 days. It also would force the governor to seek legislative approval for any extensions.
Pa. lawmakers move to curb governor’s emergency declaration powers; voters may get their say
Updated Jan 27, 2021;
Posted Jan 27, 2021
House State Government Committee Chairman Seth Grove, R-York County, said proposed constitutional amendments tipping the balance of powers away from the governor toward the Legislature during emergency disaster declarations would realign our checks and balances enshrined in our constitution.”
Jan. 27, 2021
Screenshot from Pa. House website
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State lawmakers have made it clear they hold a deep resentment toward Gov. Tom Wolf’s unilateral decision-making when it comes to responding to COVID-19 and are fixing to give voters a chance to show how they feel about the governor’s handling of the pandemic at the ballot box this May.
Meet Pa. Senate GOP leader Kim Ward, the first woman to hold that post: ‘I have to do a good job’
Updated Jan 26, 2021;
Posted Jan 26, 2021
Sen. Kim Ward, a Republican from western Pennsylvania, is the first woman to serve as Senate majority leader. Nov. 19, 2020.
Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
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Kim Ward didn’t set out to be a politician. She chose to be a respiratory therapist.
But when she crossed paths with a young intern-turned AIDS activist, it sparked an interest in government and how she could play a role in it.
That was a lesson along with a few others, including ones instilled in her by her 82-year-old mother Joanna Renko, that helped Ward secure her place in Pennsylvania history.
Pennsylvania state Sen. David Arnold died at 49 years old after more than a year-long battle with brain cancer. The Republican lawmaker represented Lebanon County and parts of York County, having taken the seat of former state Sen. Mike Folmer.
LebTown
January 17, 2021 4 min read
State Senator Dave Arnold (R-48) takes the oath of office in a January 2020 ceremony at the State Capitol with wife Alicia and daughter Reese accompanying him. Arnold died Sunday, Jan. 17, succumbing to a 15-month battle with brain cancer. (Senate Republican Communications)
State Senator Dave Arnold died Sunday, Jan. 17, from brain cancer.
He died peacefully in his sleep at home with his wife and daughter by his side, according to a statement released by the Senate Republican Communications Office. He was 49 years old.
Arnold was sworn into the position just under a year ago, defeating Democratic candidate Michael Schroeder for the 48th Senatorial District seat in a special election to replace former state Senator Michael J. Folmer over charges related to child pornography, for which he later pled guilty.