Need help with Ballot issues for Primary on May 18th

[PA_jen]

Okay: I will be the first to admit I am slow on the uptake. I do try to educate myself as much as possible.
PA has 4 issues on the ballots. I believe I am understanding all of them and have an idea of how I want to vote but can use help Please.

PLAIN ENGLISH STATEMENT
STATEWIDE REFERENDUM – ACT 2020-91
MAKING MUNICIPAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMPANIES ELIGIBLE FOR LOANS
The purpose of the ballot question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters authorize making municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies eligible to apply for loans from an already existing state loan program.

I believe I understand this not to make services private but they can seek additional funding= Loans from state funds. I believe if I am correct I will vote yes.


The Next 2 to me smell Republican in nature and trying to limit power of the next Democratic Governor.

JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2021 – 1
Proposing separate and distinct amendments to the Constitution of Pennsylvania, in declaration of rights, providing for prohibition against denial or abridgment of equality of rights because of race and ethnicity; in legislation, further providing for action on concurrent orders and resolutions; and, in the executive, providing for disaster emergency declaration and management.'

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – ARTICLE III, SECTION 9
RELATING TO TERMINATION OR EXTENSION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS
Ballot Question
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration—and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration—through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?

I think I am leaning towards no if understand these two.

This last 1 seems straight forward but am I missing something?

PROHIBITION AGAINST DENIAL OR ABRIDGEMENT OF EQUALITY OF RIGHTS BECAUSE OF RACE OR ETHNICITY
Ballot Question
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?

I found this information here:
https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/Pages/Joint-Resolution-2021-1.aspx

Can anyone help guide me?

( cross posting in General Discussion)

[FakeNoose]

1. PA Dems ballot advisory

This was posted on DU back in April: https://www.democraticunderground.com/107414409

The first 3 questions are seen by all of Pennsylvania voters.
Dems are recommended to vote No - No - Yes

In your area there may be additional questions - for example in Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh we have a total of 6 questions to vote on.

I recommend you check with your County Democratic Committee for guidance on the additional questions.

[PA_jen]

2. Thank you extremely helpful.

[56miSSie]

3. I think you understand them...

I voted yes, no, no, yes.

[PA_jen]

4. Thanks.

[Deminpenn]

5. Questions 2 and 3 are the Rs response to

Gov Wolf's use of the governor's unilateral power to declare an emergency. These emergency declarations can last up to 90 and can be renewed indefinately at 90 day intervals. The state legislature can vote to end them, but the governor can veto that, which Wolf has done. The Rs don't have a 2/3rds majority to override a veto, thus the ballot questions.

Question 1 is about letting paid, professional fire departments eligible to apply for the same grants that volunteer fire depts use. For example, in my county, there are two cities with paid, professional fire and emergency departments. These two FDs would now be able to apply for the same grants as the VFDs they serve alongside.

Question 4 is just a straight forward expansion of civil rights being added to the state constitution.

I'm voting NO on the emergency powers questions, and yes on the FD and civil rights ones.

[PA_jen]

6. Thanks