County panel considers party-balance rule for Board of Licensing Commissioners
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Summary
A proposal would require the Board of Licensing Commissioners’ two voting members to be drawn from the two political parties receiving the most votes in the preceding county commissioners election; officials plan to vote next week.
A proposal to tie the partisan makeup of Washington County’s Board of Licensing Commissioners to recent county election results was discussed, with members saying a vote is planned next week.
The measure would assign the two board seats so the member from the party that received the most aggregate votes in the last Board of County Commissioners election would hold one seat and the member from the second-highest vote-getting party would hold the other. The appointment process would remain unchanged; the bill changes only the expected party affiliation of the two members.
Supporters said the policy aligns the licensing board’s composition with voters’ preferences even though those positions are appointed rather than elected. One participant noted that similar rules exist in other counties and that the state practice yields a majority of appointments to the governor’s party.
Delegate Weidt asked about the origin of the proposal; a sponsor said other counties, including Allegheny, use the practice and that the change would mirror state and county appointment patterns. Committee members confirmed they would review the draft text and intend to vote on the bill next week.
No formal vote was recorded during the meeting; members agreed to circulate the draft language for review before the scheduled vote.
Ending: Committee staff said the draft will be circulated to members and the item is expected to return for a formal vote at the next meeting.