4 ballot questions and what they mean

Pennsylvania voters in the May 18 primary election will be asked to make decisions on four ballot questions.

All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, will get to vote on four ballot questions. Three of which concern proposed amendments to the state constitution.

Here’s a closer look at the four questions:

Limiting the power to declare disasters

Voters will decide whether the General Assembly should have the power to terminate an emergency disaster declaration without having to present it to the governor for his signature.

Ballot question

The exact language that appears on the ballot is as follows:

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?

What does this mean?

The amendment provides a new exception to traditional legislative procedure by allowing the General Assembly to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration or a portion of a declaration without needing the governor’s approval.

Currently, the constitution establishes a general rule that all orders or resolutions that require approval by both the House and Senate

must be presented to the governor. If the resolution is approved by the governor it becomes law. If the governor vetoes the resolution, it doesn’t become law unless two-thirds of the House and Senate vote to override the veto.

The proposed amendment would create an additional exception to this customary legislative procedure for resolutions to terminate or extend, in whole or in part, a disaster emergency declaration issued by the governor.

The proposed amendment is limited in that it only changes the traditional legislative process for terminating or extending disaster emergency declarations issued by the governor.

Limiting the duration of a disaster

Voters will decide whether to transfer some of the governor’s existing authority to respond to and manage disaster emergencies to state lawmakers.

Ballot question

The exact language that appears on the ballot is as follows:

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?

What does this mean?

The amendment proposes adding a new section to the Pennsylvania Constitution that makes several changes to disaster emergency declaration and management powers.

It would limit the duration of a governor’s declaration to 21 days, unless otherwise extended by a resolution of the General Assembly.

It would also require each declaration to indicate the nature, location and type of disaster; grant the General Assembly authority to pass laws providing for the manner in which each disaster shall be managed; and prevent the governor from issuing a new declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts unless the General Assembly passes a resolution expressly approving a new declaration.

Currently, disaster emergency declaration and management powers are delegated by statute to the governor.

The governor has the sole authority to issue and manage all disaster emergency declarations, which cannot extend beyond 90 days unless it is renewed. The General Assembly may override a disaster emergency declaration by resolution that must be presented to the governor for approval.

Expanding rights based on race and ethnicity

Voters will decide whether to create a constitutional prohibition against restricting or denying equal rights under Pennsylvania law because of race or ethnicity.

Ballot question

The exact language that appears on the ballot is as follows:

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?

What does this mean?

The inclusion of this amendment within the Pennsylvania Constitution signifies that freedom from discrimination based on race or ethnicity is an essential principle of liberty. This amendment would apply to all state, county and local governmental entities and guarantees equality of rights under the law.

This equal right to be free from racial or ethnic discrimination will exist independent from any such rights under corresponding federal law. So if the current federal protections against racial or ethnic discrimination are abolished, the prohibition against such discrimination will remain in the state constitution.

Expanding loans for emergency services

Voters will have their say on a statewide referendum that would make municipal fire departments and emergency management services companies eligible for loans that are currently only available to volunteer departments.

Ballot question

The exact language that appears on the ballot is as follows:

Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA.C.S. §7378.1 (related to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?

What does this mean?

The purpose of the question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters want to make municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies eligible to apply for loans from an existing state loan program.

The program is currently only open to volunteer departments.

Municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are not authorized to apply for loans from this program. This referendum does not authorize incurring any additional debt to fund the loan program — it only expands the class of eligible loan applicants.

The General Assembly has determined that municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are most in need of loans to replace outmoded or unsafe equipment to meet the increased demands for a higher level of service in the communities they serve.

If approved, the referendum will allow municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies to apply for loans from the program.

The purpose of the question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters want to make municipal fire departments with paid personnel and emwergency medical services companies eligible to apply for loans from an existing state loan program.