On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House voted unanimously 200-0 on Resolution 99 to begin the investigation into Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage, which could lead to impeachment and removal from office.
The resolution calls on the House Judiciary Committee to begin an investigation of Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. as to whether impeachment is necessary due to alleged misbehavior in office and violation of public trust.
House Resolution 99 empowers the House Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Courts to conduct an investigation of Commissioner Halcovage, to subpoena witnesses and other materials and take testimony. The members of the committee will work in a bipartisan manner to ensure that the due process rights of everyone involved have been safeguarded.
Schuylkill County's delegation in the PA House, Reps. Jerry Knowles, Joe Kerwin, and Tim Twardzik drafted the resolution.
Pennsylvania State Senator Dave Argall introduced similar legislation on Tuesday.
Argall's resolution would establish a Senate Special Committee to pursue Article VI § 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which states that civil officers elected by the people shall be removed by the Governor for reasonable cause, after due notice and full hearing, on the vote of two-thirds of the Senate.
Following a comprehensive investigation by the Senate Special Committee, if two-thirds of the Senate votes against the Commissioner, the Governor is required to remove him from office.