Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order establishing the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission. It is composed of 15 members including two state senators and two state House members.
The governor appointed 11 of the commission’s members including its chairman David Thornburgh, the president and CEO of the non-profit Committee of Seventy.
The commission will listen to citizens and experts on how to make the redistricting process fair. It will also review non-partisan redistricting processes in other states that reduce gerrymandering. Then, it will submit its recommendations to the governor and the state legislature.
In a statement on Friday, Wolf said, “This commission will bring together diverse experts and citizens to explore ways that Pennsylvania could use policies, technology and data to curb gerrymandering and ensure fair maps.”
Additionally, the governor stated, “There has been significant bipartisan support for bringing more fairness to this process.”
On the other hand, Thornburgh commented, “The creation of this commission is an important next step in ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have a chance to be heard on this important and fundamental question of our representative democracy. I’m honored to be asked to serve and will do my best to make sure that the commission listens well, encourages a vigorous debate, and comes to conclusions that are thoughtful and fair.”
Pennsylvania GOP leaders blast Wolf’s move
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Republican leaders including Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, House Speaker Mike Turzai, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, and House Majority Leader-elect Brian Cutler condemned Wolf’s move.
