Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) today thanked the individuals who asked to be considered as Chair of the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission.
"More than a dozen exceptional candidates addressed the Commission during our two public hearings, and I offer my personal thanks to each of them," Sen. Pileggi said. "I was pleased that so many outstanding individuals from communities across Pennsylvania were willing to make the personal sacrifices that would be needed to fill this role."
Today, the Commission notified the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania that a majority of the Commission was unable to agree on the fifth member, who would serve as chair. Yesterday was the deadline for the Commission to choose its chair. Under the state constitution, that decision is now in the hands of the Supreme Court, which has until May 4 to make a selection.
"Although we did not reach agreement, I am proud of the process the Commission used to consider the applications," Sen. Pileggi said. "This is the first time in history that interested individuals were invited to testify at public meetings in front of the Commission. I applaud the Commission's commitment to transparency, which I am certain will continue as our work progresses."
The LRC is a five-member panel responsible for redrawing the boundaries for state Senate and state House districts to reflect population changes over the past decade as measured by the federal census. Article II, Section 17, of the state constitution names the four caucus floor leaders as members of the Commission.
The chair of the LRC must be a citizen of Pennsylvania who does not hold a local, state or federal office to which compensation is attached.
