Post by Logan on Mar 30, 2016 9:40:33 GMT -6
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said Tuesday that Republican state senators cannot join a lawsuit that challenges an order by the Democratic governor giving home health care aides new tools to improve their wages and working conditions.
The high court voted 5-1 to prevent the leaders, acting on behalf of all Republican senators, from intervening in the pending Commonwealth Court challenge to an order Gov. Tom Wolf issued shortly after he took office last year.
The majority opinion said lawmakers only have standing to sue under limited circumstances, such as when their ability to vote or exercise official authority has been affected. In the health care matter, their interests were ruled to be "too indirect and insubstantial."
"Taking the unprecedented step of allowing legislators standing to intervene in, or be a party to, any matter in which it is alleged that government action is inconsistent with existing legislation would entitle legislators to challenge virtually every interpretive executive order or action (or inaction)," wrote Justice Debra Todd.
Read more: www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20160329_ap_4137f02ac0b1473082802ce3f9ff2c60.html
The high court voted 5-1 to prevent the leaders, acting on behalf of all Republican senators, from intervening in the pending Commonwealth Court challenge to an order Gov. Tom Wolf issued shortly after he took office last year.
The majority opinion said lawmakers only have standing to sue under limited circumstances, such as when their ability to vote or exercise official authority has been affected. In the health care matter, their interests were ruled to be "too indirect and insubstantial."
"Taking the unprecedented step of allowing legislators standing to intervene in, or be a party to, any matter in which it is alleged that government action is inconsistent with existing legislation would entitle legislators to challenge virtually every interpretive executive order or action (or inaction)," wrote Justice Debra Todd.
Read more: www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20160329_ap_4137f02ac0b1473082802ce3f9ff2c60.html