Goodnough, 112331 PAAGO, AGO 32-A

• Case Date: November 23, 1931
• Court: Pennsylvania

Honorable C. J. Goodnough AGO 32-A Opinion No. 32-A Pennsylvania Attorney General Opinions Opinion of the Attorney General November 23, 1931          Legislature—House of Representatives—Constitutionality of House Bills Nos. 31 to 37 inclusive. Extraordinary Session of 1931.          The Attorney General advises the Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding the constitutionality of House Bills Nos. 31 to 37 inclusive. Extraordinary Session of 1931.          Honorable C. J. Goodnough,          Speaker of the House of Representatives,          Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.          Sir: In further response to the request made by the House of Representatives in its resolution of November tenth, I take pleasure in furnishing you at this time my opinion regarding the constitutionality of the bills introduced in the House during the week beginning November 16, 1931.          House Bill No. 31, Proposing an Amendment to Section 225 of the General Poor Relief Act of May 14, 1925, P. L. 762. In my opinion, this bill does not come within any of the subjects specified by the Governor in his original or supplemental proclamations calling the Special Session and would, if enacted, be unconstitutional. Subject No. 2 of the original proclamation is:

"Authorizing counties, cities, boroughs, townships, and poor districts during the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-two to negotiate emergency loans for unployment relief and school districts during the same year to negotiate similar loans to meet deficiencies in current operating expenses, and authorizing such loans to be refunded under certain circumstances annually for a certain period,"

         The proposed bill would permit poor districts during any year to issue temporary notes running for a period not exceeding one year, the proceeds to be used for the purpose "of meeting unusual or unforeseen demands for maintenance or support of the poor of the district and expenditures in the operation of the district arising therefrom." Under the present law, these loans may be made on notes running for a period of not longer than six (6) months.          The bill is not confined in its operation to the year 1932 nor does it provide that loans negotiated under its terms shall be used for unemployment relief. Therefore, its subject differs radically from that stated by the Governor in his proclamation...