Top Pa. House Republican wants to greatly expand lawmakers' power over the governor, exec. branch

HARRISBURG — The top Republican in the state House wants to give the legislature the ability to block regulations or administrative orders from the executive branch by a majority vote, a proposal that would significantly expand its power and curtail that of the governor.

House Speaker Bryan Cutler and state Sen. Ryan Aument, both Lancaster County Republicans, announced the proposed amendments to the state constitution Tuesday.

Any order from the governor or an executive department that has the force of law would only last 21 days unless approved by lawmakers, while the legislature would be able to more easily block executive branch regulations such as one aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

“Unchecked unilateral executive orders are not the way to govern in a civil society,” Aument said Tuesday morning.

Read more: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2021/11/pa-legislature-block-executive-health-orders-school-masks/