HARRISBURG – Today, with a vote of 46 to 2, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to amend the state constitution to change how the lieutenant governor is selected in Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 133 amends 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 talking to one another,” said Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), the primary sponsor of the bill. “If we want to succeed in Pennsylvania, then the Commonwealth’s top two executive officials need to see eye-to-eye on the issues and not get distracted by petty rivalries.”
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. If approved by that chamber, it will again be voted on by both chambers during the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. In Pennsylvania, constitutional amendments such as Senate Bill 133 must be approved during two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly before they are finally approved by the voters.
Contact: Joshua J. Paul (Argall)
717.787.2637