From Fair Districts PA (http://www.fairdistrictspa.com):
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Senators Lisa Boscola (D, District 18, Lehigh and Northampton counties) and Tom Killion (R, District 9, Chester and Delaware counties) introduced Senate bills mirroring the two bills/one commission solution Fair Districts PA has been supporting in the PA House since last spring. The two bills would create an independent citizens commission to draw both congressional and legislative districts, working together to make the reform possible in time for the 2021 redistricting process.
Senate Bill 1023, introduced by Senator Killion, would create an independent citizens commission to draw congressional districts while putting safeguards on the process for both congressional and legislative redistricting. The other bill, Senator Boscola’s Senate Bill 1022, would amend the PA Constitution to give that same commission authority to draw the state House and Senate districts.
Both have been referred to the Senate State Government Committee and are now available online. Both already have co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
Meanwhile, a new co-sponsor to House Bills 22 and 23 made them the top two co-sponsored bills in this session, with 96 for HB 23 and 94 for HB 22, just a few away from a solid majority.
In other news from our General Assembly, Senator John DiSanto (R, District 15, Perry and Dauphin counties) has been selected as the next Senate State Government Committee Chair, and Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R, District 28, Allegheny County) has announced that he will not be running for reelection.
Recent press reports have called attention to the millions of dollars flooding into our state to grab control of the redistricting process in an attempt to control outcomes in congressional races. Until our redistricting processes are changed, Pennsylvania, one of the largest swing states, will continue to be a top target for outside campaign funds.
We have a tight deadline for the bills we support. They must pass in both houses by the summer recess, or we face another decade with the current secretive, partisan redistricting process.
What Can You Do?
Contact your state senators to co-sponsor Senate Bill 1022 and Senate Bill 1023. The bills’ online tallies show who has co-sponsored (changed daily). These are also the links to share in your request. If they’ve already co-sponsored, say thank you!
Please do the same for your representatives: invite co-sponsorship on House Bill 22 and House Bill 23 or say thank you!
Find contacts information for your PA Senator and Representative at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm#address.
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