Pa. legislators come back to work next week after a summer break. They have lots to do

Sam Dunklau / WITF

September 17, 2021

HARRISBURG, Pa. – While state Senate leaders will soon be battling in court over Republican election investigation subpoenas, the House has other plans for next week’s session.

One of the first things on the agenda, Republican majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) said, is to extend a disaster declaration for areas of the commonwealth impacted by flooding from earlier this month.

New rules approved by voters last spring require lawmakers to okay any further declaration, and the funding that goes with it, after three weeks.

That means they need to come back to Harrisburg more often to discuss each situation..

Benninghoff said that can be challenging, but not impossible:

“I mean, that’s what a representative government is about. You don’t run for a leadership position if you don’t think your life is gonna get a little bit busier,” Benninghoff said. 

Senate Republicans also have two bills aimed at limiting the emergency powers of cabinet members — like the Department of Health’s Dr. Alison Beam.

House Republicans also plan to restart negotiations on election code changes that were vetoed in June.

Much of the discussion will likely focus on voter identification rules, after Gov. Tom Wolf said he would be open to new provisions.

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