FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2003
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Senator Requests Support From Committee for Legislation

Bill would provide for a special election in the event of catastrophic loss

HARRISBURG – Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) recently contacted Sen. Charles Lemmond, Jr., Chairman of the State Government Committee, to request the Committee’s support of Waugh’s Senate Bill 78.  The bill would establish an expedited election process for members of Congress in the case of a catastrophic loss. 

As the law currently stands, the Governor must wait at least 60 days to schedule a special election but is not limited on how long he can wait beyond that.  Waugh’s legislation would allow for special elections to occur no sooner than 45 days but no later than 60 days after the Governor issues a writ of election.

The Senator points out though, that should a regular election already be scheduled within 90 days of the Governor’s writ, the Governor could schedule the special election to occur on the same day as the regular election.  Waugh’s legislation is modeled after a California law.

“This bill provides Pennsylvania a means to quickly replace members of Congress lost to a catastrophic event and preserve our constitutional form of government even in the hardest of times,” said Waugh.

In terms of the law, a catastrophic loss would be classified as the loss of a quarter of the U.S. House of Representatives at once or when a quarter of the Pennsylvania delegation is lost to a natural or man-made catastrophe.

"Congressman Todd Platts should be commended for bringing this issue to the York County legislative delegation and for assisting in the development of the legislation.  Rep. Stan Saylor has introduced similar legislation in the House,” stated Waugh.