HARRISBURG – By a bipartisan vote of 10-1, the Senate State Government Committee has passed legislation to amend the state constitution to change how the lieutenant governor is selected in Pennsylvania, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), who is the prime sponsor of this legislation.
Senate Bill 106 would amend the state’s constitution to permit candidates for governor to choose their lieutenant governor candidate after the primary election – a process that mirrors how presidential candidates currently select their vice-presidential running mates.
“In the past, we have seen a leadership team separate into two warring factions that spent weeks not even talking to one another,” said Argall. “If we want to succeed in Pennsylvania, then our top two executive officials need to see eye-to-eye on the issues and not get distracted by petty rivalries.”
In Pennsylvania, constitutional amendments such as Senate Bill 106 must be approved during two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly before they are finally put on the ballot to be approved by voters. If this amendment is approved by the full Senate and the House of Representatives, it could be on the ballot for the approval of Pennsylvania voters as soon as May 18th, the date for this year’s primary elections.
Contact: Jim Brugger 717.787.2637å