From Fair Districts PA (http://www.fairdistrictspa.com):
Time is running out to pass redistricting reform legislation before maps are redrawn when Census 2020 data is released.
LWVPA has been advocating for reform of PA’s redistricting process since 1986, when the League endorsed a bill introduced by then-Representative David Argall of Schuylkill County. That bill would have put guidelines in place for the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, requiring consideration of “neighborhood integrity, historical recognition of communities . . . topography and artificial and natural boundaries.” The bill also stated: “No district shall be drawn for the purpose of diluting the voting strength of any language or racial minority.”
Argall introduced versions of that bill in seven success sessions. It was never given a vote.
Now Argall is majority chair of the Senate State Government Committee and could easily schedule a vote on the Legislative And Congressional Redistricting Act (LACRA, Senate Bill 222). So far he has chosen not to do that. He has said he’ll introduce a bill of his own, addressing only congressional redistricting.
Some of the provisions in LACRA mirror those in the early Argall bills. He knew back in 1985 that better rules and protections were needed, yet seems reluctant now to put those rules in place. Our best avenue to passage of reform is through his committee.
Please take a minute to call and ask him why he hasn’t scheduled a vote. Identify yourself as a League member, express your disappointment at the years of legislative inaction and voice your strong support for SB 222.
There are currently 25 senate co-sponsors. Several who have not co-sponsored have said they’d vote for the bill if it came to a vote. If your own senator has not co-sponsored, please call and ask why, If you want to do more, call or contact senate leaders saying “give the bill a vote!”
You can find all the details you need here: https://www.fairdistrictspa.com/updates/call-senator-vote-yes-lacra.
Once you’ve made some calls, considering sharing this email with friends or family. We’ve waited long enough for reform. We need to be heard!
Thank you for taking action.
Leave a Reply