Sabotaging of bill shows the need for reform

Recipients of the benefits of gerrymandering may have won the initial battle in preventing the passage of reform legislation, but their actions have given the voters of Pennsylvania unmistakable proof of the need for reform (June 14, “State Senate Passes Redistricting Bill With Last-Minute Amendment”). Instead of holding a clear vote on establishing an independent citizens redistricting commission, state Senate leadership decided to pull a parliamentary maneuver to sabotage the bill. This tactic clearly ignores widespreadpublic opinion.

A recent statewide poll found that nearly 70 percent of Pennsylvanians support an independent commission.

Statewide, more than 270 communities, including 19 counties, have passed bipartisan resolutions or letters of recommendation calling on their legislators to reform the process. This represents almost half of the Pennsylvania population. More resolutions are coming in even now.

To date, more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians have signed petitions supporting an independent commission — 15,000 alone from Democratic and Republican voters participating in May primaries.

This lack responsiveness to the voters is exactly the reason citizens need to be in charge of drawing voting districts that will provide them with accountable representation. The fight has only just begun. This nonpartisan reform effort will proceedwith renewed strength. KITSY McNULTY

Shadyside

We welcome your opinion

theestablished system.” Areyou people crazy? It may be time to replace a few nonfunctioning city employees too.

Whichever contractors, designers and maintenance companies did the work (and undoubtedly got paid well) should reimburse the city fully, with interest and penalties. And should never be allowed to do business withthe city again. BILL WELLS

Mt. Lebanon

There was another mishap on Washington Boulevard and Highland Park area during a rainstorm on June 5. Now the city wants to replace the $450,000 system (June 7, “Faulty Floodgates: Pittsburgh Plans to Replace System on Washington Boulevard”).Simple solution!

If they want to save thousands of dollars, just give NASA a call. I’m sure it would be a walk in the park for its engineers to solve the problem compared with landing a man on the moon! KENNETH KENNEDY Shaler

If students are required to take a high school civics test, why would passing it be optional?

Pennsylvania has current academic standards for civics and government (”Bill Would Require High School Civics Test; Passing Is Optional,” June 10). If these standards are adequate, then students should be able to pass the newly proposed test, which Gov. Tom Wolf said he would sign into law. If students cannot pass the proposed test, then perhaps school districts should evaluate why students cannot pass the newly proposed test and make the necessary adjustments.

We need an electorate that understands our democracy and how and why it works. In addition, students need to understand their role and responsibility in ensuring their freedoms through an effectively, fully functioningdemocracy. JoANN D. JOHNSTON

Scott