Pa. Republicans eye constitutional amendment to restrict top health official, confine powers

By: Marley Parish

One day after Republicans who control the state Legislature railed against a new statewide mask mandate in K-12 schools and childcare centers, a group of GOP lawmakers are again eyeing the constitutional amendment process to limit the authority of the state’s top health official.

Sens. Judy Ward, R-Blair, Patrick Stefano, R-Fayette, and Kristin-Phillips Hill, R-York, are leading the latest effort to do an end-run around Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent executive action. In a Wednesday memo seeking support from colleagues, the lawmakers announced plans for an amendment that would tie the state health secretary’s response powers to an existing public health disaster emergency declaration.

Read the full article

Subscribe and stay updated

Receive our latest blog posts by email.

Stay in Touch

K-12, mask mandate, PA Republicans, Pa. GOP

About Soapbox Group

Our national team includes lawyers and professionals with experience in federal, state and local government with specialists in public policy, law, business, and public affairs. We help clients to anticipate, mitigate, and leverage matters of government through innovative, holistic public policy and regulation strategies.