Approves salaries, commission staff members
By Darwyyn Deyo | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The legislative redistricting process is now under way in Pennsylvania.
The five-member state Legislative Reapportionment Commission met for the first time Wednesday in an organizational meeting before beginning the process of redrawing legislative districts.
States are required to redraw legislative lines every 10 years to reflect population changes reported in the federal census. The commission will draw from data compiled in the 2010 census.
Commission members include House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, House Minority Leader Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-Chester, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny. Superior Court Justice Stephen McEwan is the chairman.
McEwan was appointed as chairman in April, after caucus leaders couldn't agree on a member of the public. McEwan presides over the Middle District, the largest of the three Superior Court districts. His salary of $9,450 per month was also approved by the commission Wednesday.
“When, every 10 years, the reapportionment process is undertaken, there is a crescendo of concern among voters,” McEwan said as he opened the commission proceedings. “That legitimate concern is reflected in the pleas that the district boundaries be established not simply by reliance upon the relevant constitutional revisions, statutes and case law, but by, as well and most importantly, a consummate sense of fairness.”
The commission also confirmed the appointment of staff members.
Eric Epstein, coordinator for RockTheCapitol, a government reform advocacy group, questioned the legitimacy of McEwan's appointment, which the group protested this past month.
“Here’s a guy who hasn’t even stood for election,” said Epstein. “He was appointed to the bench, and the bench appointed him to the commission. He’s not in position to lecture people on constitutionality.”
The commission will next meet in a public hearing after the census data has been reviewed and verified, said Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Republicans.
Once the results are verified, which Arneson estimated will be in mid-June, the commission has 90 days to produce its preliminary redistricting plan.
