HARRISBURG – Senator David G. Argall’s (R-Schuylkill/Berks) latest monthly television report, The Argall Report, highlights the Senate State Government Committee’s hearing on election reforms to the office of the lieutenant governor.
“Right now, we are witnessing a tumultuous relationship between our current governor and lieutenant governor; both parties have acknowledged their lack of communication with one another over the course of several weeks at a time,” Argall said. “While this is certainly not the first time a forced political marriage between our top two leaders of the executive branch has failed the people of Pennsylvania, continuing this kind of arrangement will hurt our efforts to streamline state government.”
Argall’s proposed legislation, which has already garnered bipartisan support from his colleagues in the Senate, would amend the state’s Constitution to allow gubernatorial candidates to select their running mate following the primary election – subject to the approval of their state committees – which is a similar process to how presidential candidates select their vice presidential running mates.
Argall notes the goal of this legislation is to foster better cooperation, communication and trust between the governor and the lieutenant governor. “By allowing the governor to provide input in selecting a lieutenant governor, a stronger relationship will be forged, taxpayer money would be saved and these two important members of the executive branch can lead more effectively and efficiently on behalf of Pennsylvania’s citizens.”
During the hearing, former Lieutenant Governors Jim Cawley, Robert Jubelirer and Mark Singel provided testimony to discuss their experiences working alongside Pennsylvania’s former governors, as well as the benefits to reforming our current lieutenant governor election process. Also sharing testimony were Alan Novak, former Republican State Committee Chairman, and TJ Rooney, former Democratic State Committee Chairman.
