BETHLEHEM (JUN 17) – State Senator Lisa M. Boscola’s legislation, Senate Bill 346, that would overhaul the entire redistricting process was voted favorably out of the Senate State Government Committee today. 

“Lawmakers drawing their own districts is a conflict of interest,” Boscola said.  “Under my plan, no district would be mapped out in favor of an incumbent legislator or political party.” 

     Senate Bill 346 was introduced to mandate that districts be drawn on municipal boundaries and not political or party affiliation.  This proposal is based on a model that is in use in the State of Iowa.  Senate Bill 346 will amend the Constitution of Pennsylvania to provide for a Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Bureau for the purpose of redistricting.

“The redistricting system in Pennsylvania needs to be changed to replace politics with common sense,” Boscola said.  “That is why I will continue to fight for proactive and responsible redistricting reform for our Commonwealth.”

The proposed Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Bureau is a five member panel, whose members cannot hold political or party office, with a staff, classified as civil service, consisting of a director and employees as are necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the reapportionment and redistricting process.  

With the United States Census approaching, Senator Boscola stated that it is critical to act on the legislation prior to the summer recess of the General Assembly.

“The window of opportunity is quickly closing, and we as a state government must act to take the politics out of the redistricting process like they have in the state of Iowa,” Boscola added.  “The process outlined in my bill is based on what has been used in Iowa.  All one has to do is look at the legislative maps of Iowa to see the process works.” 

     For additional information regarding this legislation, please feel free to contact one of Senator Boscola’s offices in Bethlehem 610-868-8667, Stroudsburg 570-420-2938 or Whitehall 610-266-2117. 

For more information on the Iowa Process and the maps drawn using their process:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Central/LSB/Guides/redist.htm

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Redist/congress.pdf

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Redist/senate.pdf

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Redist/house.pdf

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