Turzai stonewalls on real redistricting reform

The state House of Representatives was meant to be the “People’s House.” Apparently, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai has not gotten that message.

Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. Over the past 18 months, citizens of Pennsylvania have mounted a massive effort to achieve congressional and state legislative redistricting reform to include an independent citizen redistricting commission.

Time is running out. An amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution is required and to comply with the necessary procedures, a reform bill must be passed within the next few days or citizens will be doomed to legislators drawing their district lines, gerrymandering and more meaningless votes for at least another decade.

Tens of thousands of petition signatures have been gathered, 267 municipal and 19 county resolutions have been passed covering 58 percent of the commonwealth’s population, thousands of letters, emails, phone calls and meetings have been held with state legislators — all in support of an independent citizen redistricting commission. A June 4 Franklin & Marshall poll found that 64 percent of Pennsylvanians support sucha commission.

Countless emails, letters, phone calls and requests have been made to Speaker Turzai to take action and what is his response? Silence! The House introduced several reform bills. One had more co-sponsors than any other bill this legislative session — 110. What was his response? Silence. Even the Senate passed a reform bill, SB 22, to include an independent citizen commission on June 12 and it was sent to the House for action. What was his action? On June 25, without one word of discussion on the House floor regarding redistricting reform, he adjourned the House for the summer, effectively filibustering the possibility of such reform.

On July 13, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Joe Scarnati and Majority Leader Jake Corman sent a letter to Mr. Turzai, House Majority Leader Dave Reed and Minority Leader Frank Dermody to ask they return, compromise and pass a clean, strong version of SB22. To date, what is his response? Another deafening silence.

The “People’s House”? Apparently not. I wonder if Mr. Turzai will appreciate the silence of voters in November? JEAN HANDLEY

Harrisburg The writer is a member of Fair Districts PA.