HARRISBURG – The Senate State Government Committee, chaired by Senator David G. Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill), held the first in a series of hearings Tuesday reviewing many of the recent, controversial actions undertaken by the Department of State. This hearing discussed post-election audits undertaken by the Department of State after the 2020 election with Acting Secretary of State Veronica Degraffenreid.
“I asked Acting Secretary Degraffenreid some simple, straightforward questions about how the Department of State’s audit was conducted back in March, and did not receive an answer until July,” said Senator Argall. “Perhaps this was due to the turmoil at the Department – the Acting Secretary is now the fourth to serve Governor Wolf, while both Governors Rendell and Corbett each had one throughout their tenures.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, Senator Argall announced that the State Government Committee will hold 5 additional hearings prior to the confirmation hearings for Acting Secretary Degraffenreid. These hearings will review her role in controversies involving the Department of State including the following:
- the failure to advertise a constitutional amendment protecting victims of childhood sexual abuse,
- the Department’s last minute, confusing guidance to counties before the 2020 election,
- the 2021 Primary ballot questions that were widely criticized as biased,
- the difficulties experienced by counties during the 2021 Primary,
- and the lackluster performance of the Pennsylvania Licensing System for doctors and other professionals.
Contact: Jim Brugger 717.787.2637