PA Redistricting Reform Commission Announces 9 Public Meetings To Gather Input

On March 20, the new Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission announced it is inviting the public to a series of 9 regional meetings to talk about making the redistricting process fairer and nonpartisan.

Gov. Tom Wolf created the 15-member bipartisan Commission by executive order in November and appointed David Thornburgh, president and CEO of the nonprofit Committee of Seventy, as its chairman.

The Commission will study best practices in other states and submit a report to the governor and legislature later this year with recommendations for a nonpartisan redistricting process that safeguards election integrity and fairness.

The meetings will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the following dates--

The dates and locations of eight public meetings will be:

-- April 4: Williamsport, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, 201 W. 4th St., Williamsport, PA 17701

-- April 18: Erie, Erie County Public Library, 160 E Front St., Erie, PA 16507

-- May 2: Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University's Simmons Auditorium, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

-- May 9: Reading, Penn State Berks Perkins Student Center, 1801 Broadcasting Rd., Reading, PA 19610

-- May 16: Altoona, PSU-Altoona Devorris Downtown Center, 1431 12th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601

-- May 28: Philadelphia, Tindley Temple United Methodist, 750 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

-- May 29: Bethlehem, Northampton Community College Alumni Hall, 3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020

-- June 6: Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University Henry Student Center, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

A Harrisburg date will be announced soon.

The Commission also invites Pennsylvanians to provide their comments online.

Commission members appointed by Gov. Wolf include--

-- David Thornburgh, President and CEO, Committee of Seventy (Chair)

-- Lee Ann Banaszak, Penn State University

-- Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs

-- Susan Carty, President, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania

-- Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie County Executive

-- Charlie Dent, Former Congressman

-- Amanda Holt, Lehigh County Commissioner

-- Rev. Robert Johnson, Tindley Temple United Methodist Church

-- Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President, Urban Affairs Coalition

-- Wes Pegden, Carnegie Mellon University

-- Secretary of the Commonwealth or designee

-- Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)

-- Rep. Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny)

-- Senate, House Republicans declined the opportunity to appoint members

Questions about the Commission should be directed to David Thornburgh, Chair, by calling 215-439-0879.

(Photo: David Thornburgh.)