Redistricting commission would keep Pa. fair
Senator Robert Mellow is a 40-year Pa. legislator who, in May, 2012, pleaded guilty to allegations that he used taxpayer-funded staff to work on political campaigns. He served a 16-month prison term and then, after being released, sued to have his state pension restored. In December, 2017, the State Employees’ Retirement System Board agreed to restore that pension. Retired Senator Mellow now receives an annual pension of $245,000 a year.
I don’t know what’s more repulsive, that he had his pension restored after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud or that his annual pension is $245,000 a year. But I do know that while disgusted I really shouldn’t be surprised. After all, Senator Mellow worked for 40 years in a swamp that makes the one in Washington look like Walden Pond. Yes, he was a true creature of the Pa. legislature, the largest and most expensive state legislature in the country and one that routinely spits out legislators whose greed and cupidity would embarrass even Philadelphia mobsters like the infamous Nicky Scarfo.
This episode is just one of many that should make all Pennsylvania residents embarrassed and angry enough to demand change. Unfortunately, it is hard to demand change from the members of this legislative club if the elective process has been rigged to prevent reformers from ever being able to challenge them. I’m speaking about the outlandish practice of gerrymandering that allows legislators to effectively choose their own voters. While it is satisfying to see that the Pa. State Supreme Court recognized the unconstitutionality of the gerrymandered districts created by the legislature after the 2010 census and created a new Congressional district map, it is wrong to expect the courts to do what we the people should demand our elected representatives to do. And since we can’t expect our legislators to actually create fair legislative districts, Fair Districts Pa. is supporting the 110 members of the state Assembly and Senate (including local Representatives Kauffman, Schemes and Senator Alloway) that have co-sponsored HB 722, (and a companion bill SB 22) to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution by establishing an Independent Redistricting Commission to provide a nonpartisan process for redistricting in the Commonwealth for State Senate, State House and Congressional districts.
You can split your vote on Nov. 8
This Commission will be truly independent. It will be composed of 11 members, 4 registered Republicans, 4 registered Democrats, and 3 Independents, none of whom can be elected officials of any party. No plan drawn up by this Commission can be approved unless it is approved by 7 members of the Commission and include at least one vote from a member registered from each of the two political parties and at least one vote from a member who is not registered with either political party. The proceedings of this Commission will be completely open and any plan drawn up by the Commission will be fully advertised throughout the state before it is approved.
Unfortunately, before this bill can be submitted to the voters in a referendum it must first be passed by two consecutive sessions of the State Legislature. Therefore, if it is to be in effect for the next redistricting after the 2020 census it must be approved by the current legislative session. Right now HB 722 is being bottled up in Committee. Please contact your state legislator ASAP and let him/her know that it’s time “We The People” get to decide what our legislative districts look like. Unless of course you think it is perfectly okay to let the foxes guard the henhouse.
By the way, there will be a huge March this Monday, April 16th in Harrisburg to demand that our legislators pass HB 722. Check out the Fair Districts Pa website, www.fairdistrictspa.com, to find out how you can participate in the March. See you there!
Pete Lagiovane is a resident of Chambersburg, former mayor, and local volunteer with Fair Districts PA.