Posted: | February 8, 2016 09:33 AM |
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From: | Representative Kevin J. Boyle |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Constitutional Amendment Requiring the Legislature to Stay Continuously in Voting Session during a Budget Impasse |
In the near future, I will be introducing an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution requiring the General Assembly to stay in session until a state budget is adopted by both chambers and signed into law by the Governor. As Pennsylvania’s budget impasse exceeded a historic 200th day, we have seen repeated breaks in the voting schedule for the last six months. In order for this legislation to be added to the text of the state Constitution, the bill must be voted and passed in two consecutive legislative sessions. It would then go to the citizens of the Commonwealth for a ballot question. We have all heard concerns from our constituents in our respective districts related to the budget stalemate. A ballot question will equip our constituents with the chance to express what they want from their legislature. As legislators, we owe it to our constituents to conduct the peoples’ business without needless delays and time-wasting and to concentrate on passing a responsible, complete, and balanced budget for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians. Please join me in supporting this important piece of legislation that ensures the General Assembly gets back on the track of fulfilling this most basic of legislative functions. |
Introduced as HB2191