GOP proposal to elect judges by zone advances by single vote

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Republican-backed proposal to elect state appeals court judges by zone, rather than statewide, is moving ahead on the Legislature after a narrow vote. The Judiciary Committee on Wednesday also voted for second proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution, one that would temporarily permit lawsuits over child sexual abuse that occurred many years ago. Also Wednesday, the House State Government Committee approved on party lines constitutional amendments regarding how a budget surplus is handled, capping how much the state budget can grow from year to year, and limiting the governor’s powers during disaster emergencies.