State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said state Sen. President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati is correct in withholding data requested by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court following a recent gerrymandering ruling.
“The ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is itself unconstitutional, as our state Constitution clearly places the task of drawing congressional district boundaries in the hands of the Legislature,” Causer told The Era on Friday.
On Wednesday a letter sent to the state Supreme Court on behalf of Scarnati details that the lawmaker will not hand over map data to the court.
The state Supreme Court had ruled in a recent case that the congressional district boundaries in Pennsylvania “clearly, plainly and palably” violate the state’s constitution. Currently, Republicans control 12 congressional districts, while Democrats control five.
The state’s Republican lawmakers are disagreeing with the decision.
Causer said, “The court overstepped its bounds with this decision and has yet to explain its opinion, despite giving the Legislature just three weeks to draw up new maps. Impeachment of these justices should be our next step.”
In the meantime, he said, he is holding out hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will get involved and issue a stay to end what he calls a “disruption of our election process.”
He said that the map has been in existence for three congressional election cycles, and no reason exists as to making a change now.
“And if there is a will by the public and their elected representatives to change the process by which the Legislature draws congressional boundaries, that is a discussion to be had as part of the legislative process — not by the ruling of an activist court,” he said.
Drew Crompton, chief of staff and counsel to Scarnati, also provided insight into the ruling.
“As President Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, Senator Scarnati swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of Pennsylvania and the Constitution of the United States, which is exactly what he is doing by this action,” Crompton said. “The Federal Elections Clause unambiguously vests exclusive authority over congressional elections in the state legislatures, subject only to limitations imposed by the United States Congress.”
Crompton said Scarnati awaits a decision on the request for a stay by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Alito.
Lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have until Feb. 15 to submit a new map, or the court will put together its own, according to the Associated Press.
