Panel Proposes Eliminating Democratic Legislative Districts

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission today passed a Republican plan to redraw the state’s 203 State House and 50 State Senate districts by a 3-2 vote.

            LRC Chair Stephen McEwen, a retired Superior Court Judge, voted with GOP Caucus leaders Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) and Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to pass the GOP’s plan.  Democrat Caucus Leaders Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) voted against the plan.

            Just prior to that vote the LRC voted down a Democrat alternative plan proposed by Sen. Costa by a similar 3-2 vote.

            The Senate plan moves the current 45th District from Allegheny County to Monroe County.  Freshman Democratic Senator James Brewster now occupies that seat.

            Click Here for a copy of the proposed Senate Districts.

            The House plan moves four seats – two Republican-held and two Democrat-held.

            Rep. John Evans’ (R-Erie) seat moves to Berks County while the seat of former House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia) moves to York County.  O'Brien was elected Speaker with the help of House Democrats and is now running for a Philadelphia Council seat.

            Other Democratic House members will also have their districts moved.  Rep. Chelsa Wagner's district will move from Allegheny County to Allentown, Lehigh County, Rep. Jesse White's and Rep. Nick Kotik's district will be combined in Allegheny and Washington counties so they have to run against each other.

            The House plan does not move the 74th District seat of 19-term Democrat incumbent Bud George.

            The House plan comes in three maps: Southwest, Southeast and the rest of the state.
            Here are the descriptions of each district by county and municipality-- House Districts, Senate Districts.

            A 30-day review period begins today now that the preliminary plan has been adopted.

            NewsClips: Dems Disapprove Of Plan To Redraw House, Senate Lines
                                Panel Proposes Elimination Of Democratic Legislative Districts
                               Redistricting Would Remove Harrisburg From Piccola's District