Pa. Senate Committee Advances Bill That Would Limit Wolf’s Economic Power

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A Pennsylvania Senate Committee has approved a bill that would limit Gov. Tom Wolf‘s – and future governors’ – economic power.

Senate Bill 561, introduced by Republican Sen. John DiSanto of Dauphin County, would bar the governor from enacting regulations with an economic impact exceeding $1 million without legislative approval.

DiSanto said in a statement that the bill would “reinforce the constitution’s balance of powers” as well as “strengthen political accountability for regulatory policy and protect our economy from undue burdens on business and job creation.”

The legislation would require both the Independent Fiscal Office and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission to verify the cost estimates of regulations. In 2015, the IFO reviewed 74 regulations overall.

As it stands now, legislators can file disapproval resolutions if they oppose regulations passed by the governor, who can then approve or veto their resolutions. If the governor chooses to veto the disapproval, legislators can override the veto by a two-thirds vote.

Wolf and other Democrats think the bill would shift too much power to the legislative majority.

In a statement sent to WITF, Wolf’s office said the governor “has serious concerns with attempts to hinder the executive branch’s ability to enact regulations.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Follow @ClaireSasko on Twitter.