Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 8, 2023 08:15 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Ryan P. Aument |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Restoring Balance of Power in Regulations |
| In the near future I intend to reintroduce a Joint Resolution to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the Governor’s approval or disapproval. This measure was approved last session by the Senate and House of Representatives. Our form of government, and our Constitution, make it clear that neither the executive branch nor any unelected bureaucrat should ever have the unilateral and unchecked authority to issue open-ended orders or regulations. To give such limitless discretion would elevate the executive branch’s power above the other two branches of our tripartite government. In recent years we have seen an increased willingness by the executive branch to circumvent the people of the Commonwealth. When dealing with especially contentious issues, the use of executive orders and regulations have been employed to shut down debate and push policy by a Governor and their administration, in direct contrast to the intention of our founders. Our executive branch officials must practice restraint in countenance to the Constitution they swore an oath to support, obey and defend – even when that is difficult. In a representative democracy, the protection for all people is in our processes. Those processes may seem lengthy and full of legislative and regulatory roadblocks, but that is by design, so that no one person, authority or interest can outweigh the voices of the people. To that end, I intend to reintroduce a constitutional amendment to amend Article III, Section 9, to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the Governor’s approval or disapproval. Please join me in co-sponsoring this measure to help restore the fragile balance of power enshrined in our Constitution. |
Introduced as SB2