Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Argall Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Reform Lieutenant Governor Selection Process

Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) is proposing a new way to select lieutenant governors to mirror how vice presidents are selected at the federal level.


“If we want to have better cooperation and increased trust, the chief executive needs to have a say in selecting the lieutenant governor,” Argall said. “Right now, we are witnessing a troubled relationship between the governor and the lieutenant governor waste time and taxpayer resources. And this is not the first time that a forced marriage with our top two members of the executive branch has failed the people of Pennsylvania.”

Argall’s proposal would require gubernatorial candidates to select their running mate within 30 days following the primary election.

The constitutional amendment process would require Argall’s resolution to be approved in the current legislative session, which ends in November of 2018, then be approved again in the next legislative session, which starts in 2019 and then be placed upon the ballot for the approval of Pennsylvania voters.