2019 Governor’s Press Conference

Written By: By Emma Lamoreaux

The 73rd Youth Governor, Rishin Sharma, stepped up to the podium this morning to discuss his new platform, the constitutional challenge, the budget outline, and highlighted topics his administration will be focusing and speaking on. The Governor’s developed platform is an inclusive proposal to fix a multitude of current issues that his cabinet would like to see the legislative branch expand upon and advocate for during the upcoming weekend.

Such topics include environmental impacts within the state of Pennsylvania, proposals to move away from fossil fuels, decriminalization of marijuana and drug possession charges, public education in underdeveloped and poverty-stricken areas, improving inner cities education systems and finally, budgetary issues within the Commonwealth.

This year, regarding the administration’s platform, the administration will be following specific bills. Such bills include Blue Senate Bill # BH 730 “Going Nuclear Act”, Blue Representative Bill #BH 746 “Don’t Risk Your Rights Act”, Adult Bill # BH 511 “Decriminalize Marijuana Act”, and several more.

Concerning Sharma’s new budget proposal, there are specific points he highlighted within his speech that he would like legislative delegates to focus on during the debate. The administration’s outline plans to redistribute roughly $2 billion of current national gas subsidies towards the installment of nuclear energy subsidies and appropriations in order to continue sustainable energy production in the state. Further, the proposed budget plans to amplify state spending on training STEM associated educational modules to ultimately keep state instruction as advanced as possible regarding the endeavor of the national benchmark.

Within the budget, the administration would like an increase in the minimum wage within the Commonwealth to be adjusted for inflation from a federal $7.25 rate as passed in 2009. The administration found this necessary to include to provide a fair wage to employees across the state. Finally, there is an initiative to increase spending on women’s health needs within the state and public facilities with a 20% budget increase to $1.5 million. The administration would like to see this specific budget proposal personally paired hand in hand with their interest in this year’s bills in reference to women’s health.

The administration has always worked towards integrating the branches year after year. To further encourage integration, there will be a constitutional challenge to marry the judicial and legislative programs. It is continuously paramount for our laws to adhere to the constitution, as it also remains the unwavering fact that constitutional protections must be upheld.

There will be a huge potential this year for a constitutional challenge within any of the Gold or Blue, Senate or House Chambers. If an unconstitutional bill is proposed or passed, the administration will have the ability to challenge the bill at any point within the legislative process. Upon the administration’s decision to challenge the bill, it will become tabled until Sunday morning’s session. That Sunday the Chief Justice, Abby Han, along with two other justices, will preside over the challenging process. At that time, the bench will be presented with oral arguments from the bill author and an attorney and the two attorneys from our administration. After arguments are heard, the bench will deliberate, then the Chief Justice will proceed to deliver a decision on the bill, prior to the reading of the Judicial Case Decision.

Governor Sharma and his administration would like to formally thank all who attended the conference, as well as the sponsors and speakers. He would like to dedicate other formal thanks to the YMCA, who has organized the Youth and Government program to create a place for the future generations to become inspired and become young advocates and leaders.