Letter to the Editor 4/15

Editor:

May 18th, 2021 is almost here, and that is the day of the primary election. All registered voters are eligible to vote. This election will allow Republicans, Democrats, Independents or third party to vote. It’s important to go vote, but it is also important to know what is on the ballot before you vote. There is nothing like getting to the polls, only to find questions on the ballot that you wish you would have researched in advance.

There will be four ballot questions. Question #1 on the ballot, Shall the PA constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declarations-and the powers of the Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration-through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval?

To this I will be voting yes. In my opinion, with all of Governor Wolf’s restrictions too many small businesses suffered or went out of business completely. People had to rely on unemployment, the unemployment computers would go down, then those people would have to go to the State Representatives for help. No one want to live like that.

Question #2 on the ballot, Shall the Pa constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?

I will be voting yes to this question as well. I never want to go through an indefinite lock down again. This has been crazy for more than a year.

Ballot question #3, Shall the Pa Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of right under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?
On this question I will also vote yes because I believe that we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.

Ballot Question #4, Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35pa.c.s7378.1 (relating to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose for establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?

On this question I vote yes again. The fire companies and ambulance services are there to take care of us. We need to make sure they can do that.

I am not one to tell anyone how to vote, but I would ask you to do your own research. The information is out there, so please do your research, mark you calendar for May 18th, and come to the polls to vote. Every American citizen needs to come out and let your voice be heard.

Dawn Moyer
Mill Hall, PA