By a vote of 46 to 3, the Senate has passed bipartisan legislation to amend the state constitution to change how the lieutenant governor is selected in Pennsylvania, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).Senate Bill 133 would amend 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 even talking to one another,” said Senator Argall, the primary sponsor of the bill. “If we want to succeed in Pennsylvania, then our top two executive officials need to see eye-to-eye on the issues and not get distracted by petty rivalries.”
In Pennsylvania, constitutional amendments such as Senate Bill 133 must be approved during two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly before they are finally put on the ballot to be approved by voters. Both chambers of the legislature have now approved this bill during the 2019-2020 session.
The bill will need be voted on again by both chambers during the 2021-2022 Legislative Session.