Gov. Wolf Vetoes Election Changes Bill; Other Bills Become Law

Pittsburgh PA

30 June, 2021

1:11 PM

Description

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday vetoed a controversial measure that would have made numerous changes to the state's election law. The governor also signed various other bills into law. Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have mandated voter identification at the polls; would have changed voter registration deadlines from 15 to 30 days before an election; established earlier deadlines for mail-in voters to request ballots; and limited drop boxes for mail-in ballots to seven days before an election and monitored by both major political parties' representatives. "This bill is ultimately not about improving access to voting or election security, but about restricting the freedom to vote," Wolf said in a memo explaining his veto. "If adopted, it would threaten to disrupt election administration, undermine faith in government, and invite costly, time-consuming, and destabilizing litigation." The bills Wolf signed into law included the following, which provide: $158 million in 2021-22 funding for Temple University in Philadelphia. $154 million in 2021-22 funding for the University of Pittsburgh. $31 million in 2021-22 funding for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. $15.1 million in 2021-22 funding for Lincoln University in Chester County. $6.2 million in funding for the consumer advocate's office in the state Attorney General's Office. $2.8 million in funding for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The permanent establishment of a temporary program slated to expire that allows schools to hire those training to be teachers as substitute instructors, provided they have valid clearances and at least 60 credit hours toward a teaching degree. The establishment of a sales and use tax exemption for certain equipment purchased by computer data centers and their tenants. Like sales tax exemptions for other industries in the states - such as farming, manufacturing and mining - the legislation is meant to incentivize companies to locate data centers in Pennsylvania. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe