constitutional-amendment

Pa. Senate panel approves constitutional amendment accountability measure

BY: - May 9, 2023

Phillips-Hill previously introduced the idea after the Wolf administration failed to advertise amendment language for long-awaited relief for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in time for the May 2021 primary election.

Josh Shapiro with health care and service industry workers outside the Smithfield United Church of Christ in Downtown Pittsburgh on Mon., Sept. 19, 2022. CP Photo: Jamie Wiggan

Right-to-unionize amendment clears Pa. House committee

BY: - May 1, 2023

A proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would guarantee the right of workers to form unions moved toward a vote in the state House on Monday. The House Labor and Industry Committee reported out the proposal introduced by Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, and Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, with a 12-9 vote.  Republicans, who questioned the […]

Pa. House stalemate stops constitutional amendments from appearing on May ballot

BY: and - January 27, 2023

A department spokesperson said that the General Assembly must pass the constitutional amendment by Jan. 27 to appear on the May 2023 ballot.

Advocates say constitutional change targets pollution regs, greenhouse gas reduction plan

BY: - August 23, 2022

Environmental advocacy groups say that while news reports largely have focused on the anti-abortion language in the bill, the provision giving the Legislature the ability to disapprove regulations is equally troubling.

Pa. Dems, abortion advocates see parallels in Kansas abortion rights vote

BY: - August 10, 2022

The constitutional amendment, which was defeated by Kansas voters by a 60-40 margin last week, would have ended the right to an abortion in the state, according to the Kansas Reflector. 

COMMENTARY

The Wolf administration’s jaw-dropping Supreme Court filing | Opinion

BY: - August 4, 2022

On Thursday, to much fanfare, the administration announced that it had asked the state supreme court to invoke its universal jurisdiction to declare the Legislature’s effort to put abortion’s place in the Pennsylvania Constitution on the ballot inherently unconstitutional.

Pa. General Assembly approves amendment package as reproductive rights advocates protest

BY: , and - July 8, 2022

Late Thursday night, the Senate Rules Committee voted along party lines to advance the bill and table a series of amendments proposed by Democrats.

Senate committee advances proposed constitutional change to reform Pa.’s amendment process

BY: - December 14, 2021

Before being presented to voters, proposed constitutional amendments must pass the Legislature in two consecutive sessions. The costly process can take months, if not years.

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

BY: - September 1, 2021

A group of three Republican senators announced plans for an amendment that would tie the state health secretary’s response powers to an existing public health disaster emergency declaration.

Pa. GOP lawmaker eyes constitutional amendment to avoid veto, limit top health official

BY: - July 19, 2021

The latest effort to avoid a gubernatorial veto comes from Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Fayette, who announced plans for an amendment in a Friday memo to colleagues that would curtail the Pennsylvania secretary of health’s emergency powers.

Despite questions on process, Senate committee advances proposed constitutional change on Voter ID

BY: - June 21, 2021

A proposed constitutional change that would require Pennsylvanians to show identification every time they vote is headed to the floor of the Pennsylvania state Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 15-9 party-line vote on Monday, which means it could come before the full Senate soon. […]