If you can’t kill the gerrymander, handcuff it

As good-government types know, redistricting reform in Pennsylvania is a decade-long process of pulling teeth.

And in the 11th year, alas … life in Harrisburg goes on with the same rotting teeth — with partisan fangs fully intact, of course.

This year looked to be different, as a groundswell of public support formed around the idea that an independent citizens commission might be approved to redraw the boundaries of state Senate and House districts, using the updated information from the 2020 census.

But that type of change is cumbersome. It requires a constitutional amendment, which in Pennsylvania means approval of both houses of the Legislature in two separate sessions, followed by statewide voter approval in a referendum.

And once again — with Republican leaders keeping a big toe on the brake — Pennsylvania is stumbling into a new decade without a better way to redraw state legislative district lines. That, in turn, enables gerrymandering — the process by which lawmakers create ready-made districts packed with like-minded voters, to fend off competition and keep Republicans in majority control.

But it also has the effect of keeping minority Democrats in mostly blue districts, leading to the type of partisan isolationism that works against change. Against reforming a corrupt system. Against new blood. Against any need to compromise. Against consideration and discussion of bills in committees.

Against good government. As bills to create a citizens commission have stagnated, two senators — Bethlehem Democrat Lisa Boscola and Delaware County Republican Tom Killion — have drummed up support for another route. Their bill wouldn’t deny the Legislature the final say on new political maps, but it would switch a public light on the subject, and stem the outright mangling of communities to create “safe” districts.

As reported by SpotlightPA last week, the bill would require lawmakers to hold public meetings about the redrawing process. “War-room” findings would be made available for public analysis before the 10-year die is cast.

Also, guidelines would limit made up of the four Democratic — having non-politicians overthe slicing and dicing of municand Republican legislative leadsee the redrawing process — is ipal/county boundaries to estabers, along with a chair selected eminently better. lish ultra-red and deep-blue disby the other members. If they But consider the alternative: tricts. can’t agree on a fifth member, Ten more years of partisan sta

That practice wasis.scitedbythestateSupremeCourtmakes the state Supreme Court when it the choice. he constitutional amendthrew out Pennsylvania’s gerryThe Boscola-Killion bill adment to create an independent mandered map of congressional vanced out of the State Governcommission must remain on the districts in 2018 and replaced it ment Committee last Tuesday Legislature’s to-do list, even as with one more reflective of the with bipartisan support and the door closes on another 10state’s partisan make-up. some opposition. A companion year opportunity.

With congressional districts, bill is being sponsored in the Still, a bill illuminating the state lawmakers oversee the reHouse by Rep. Wendi Thomas, mapping process and limiting drawing process. The final bill R-Bucks. the worst instincts of poweris subject to the governor’s apIf this approach sounds like mongers is a step forward. Gov. proval or veto. a type of low-cal reform, it is. Wolf should climb aboard, if the

State legislative districts, on The reform favored by FairDisbill gets to his desk. the other hand, are redrawn trictsPA, NA ACP, League of by a five-member commission Women Voters and other groups