“I am pleased with the committee’s support to advance the process and will push for a full Senate vote in the weeks ahead,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh). “This amended version of my legislation is a reasonable compromise that establishes an independent commission to redraw district maps. While it’s not perfect, it would certainly make the process far more transparent and fair.
“As I said when the State Government Committee unanimously approved my bill in May, doing nothing is not an option. We cannot let perfect be the enemy of good. We cannot let the clock run out on our opportunity to have reform in place for the upcoming round of redistricting,” she added.
The bill establishes an independent 11-member citizens commission to redraw Congressional and state legislative district maps. The commission would be comprised of citizens who are registered Democrats, Republicans and independents. It requires significant public input, applies sound map-drawing standards and establishes a fair process for final map adoption.
“By the time the political power brokers were finished contorting the process, the Congressional map was a riddled joke that split the Lehigh Valley and other communities across our state into pieces,” Sen. Boscola. “The weird gerrymandered shape of Pennsylvania districts became a running national joke until the maps were finally cleaned up by the court earlier this year.”
Several omnibus amendments are being prepared to the bill at this point in preparation for action on the Senate Floor.
On the House side, a redistricting bill introduced by House Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana)-- House Bill 2449-- was referred to the House Rules Committee rather than the House State Government Committee as other proposals have been.
Several omnibus amendments are being prepared to the bill at this point in preparation for action on the Senate Floor.
On the House side, a redistricting bill introduced by House Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana)-- House Bill 2449-- was referred to the House Rules Committee rather than the House State Government Committee as other proposals have been.
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