Pa. House GOP backs plan to give majority more districting power

(Harrisburg) — Republicans on a state House committee are backing a plan to give more power over redistricting to the majority party in the Legislature, voting for a bill that would change how General Assembly and congressional districts are drawn.

The House State Government Committee voted on party lines today for a proposal to have both sets of districts produced by a commission made up of six members.

“This is partisan politics at its worst and it shows a flippant disregard for thousands of citizens that have spoken in favor of independent redistricting and ending gerrymandering,” Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement. “After the last few months, it should be clear that the solution to our broken redistricting system is not putting more power in the hands of partisan politicians. This is wrong, and it is an affront to our democracy.”

The Republican and Democratic caucuses in the two chambers would each pick one member, and the fifth and sixth members would be voted on by the full House and Senate.

Five of six members would need to approve the maps.

If they can’t agree, lawmakers would vote on their draft maps without amendment.

Republicans currently hold large majorities in the state House and Senate.