HARRISBURG (TNS) — The clock is ticking on Pennsylvania lawmakers to complete work on redrawing the state’s congressional districts to meet the Department of State’s Monday deadline and avoid a scenario that could delay the May 17 primary election.
The Senate State Government Committee voted along party-lines this past Monday to approve the House Republican-backed map that won House passage last week. However, committee Chairman Dave Argall, R-Schuylkill County, emphasized the vote doesn’t mean that map is the final version.
Rather, he said it provides a vehicle to fast-track passage of a congressional map if an agreement is reached with the House and Senate Republicans and Democrats to send to Gov. Tom Wolf for his consideration.
The lawmakers are under the gun to redraw congressional district boundaries to reflect the state’s shifting demographics as well as that of the nation that has led to Pennsylvania losing one of its 18 congressional seats. The constitution requires the map reflect districts with equalized population, are contiguous and compact, and have a minimal number of county and municipal splits.
The Department of State set this coming Monday as the deadline that it needs to have maps in place to avoid causing complications with the Feb. 15 date when candidates can begin circulating nomination petitions to get on the primary ballot.
But the Commonwealth Court set Monday as the date lawmakers, the governor and activists must submit their maps for it to render judgment on the proposals by Jan. 30. The opinion issued by the Commonwealth Court can then be appealed to the state Supreme Court if any of the parties feels aggrieved.
Argall said in his opinion, the sides are close. He intends to hold a hearing later this week on what he hopes is the final draft of the congressional map.
On Saturday, the governor, who has chosen not to negotiate with lawmakers on a congressional map, released two maps that he said meets the guidelines that his citizens advisory council set forth for a new congressional map.
About the governor’s maps, Argall said, “We have some concern about dividing Pittsburgh into two districts but there’s a lot of good in both of the maps he put forth.”
At least Argall said it shows what the governor would be willing to accept “so we don’t have to read his mind.”
Sen. Sharif Street of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the state government committee, was less certain that an agreement with his GOP counterparts was close at hand. He said it depends on who you ask.
“I think we’re negotiating in good faith,” he said. “I remain committed to the process but I’m not sure where we are.”
House Republican spokesman Jason Gottesman said congressional redistricting remains a fluid process and accepts that the map that the House passed is likely to change.
“However, any changes that may be made to the House-passed plan in the Senate would have to be reviewed and approved by the House before going to the governor,” he said. “We look forward to reviewing what product they may send us.”
