Redistricting by legislators: show you work
As the PA House State Government Committee began the public phase of the congressional redistricting process last week with its first hearing, we urged that public be the keyword. “First, we recommend that the House and Senate work together to develop a meaningful and efficient program of public engagement that offers multiple ways for citizens to participate and that distills common themes or points of feedback for map drawers,” C70 CEO David Thornburgh told legislators. But that’s not enough. Legislators should produce preliminary maps, explain why they drew lines the way they did and respond substantively to citizen feedback on them before they vote on the final maps. In other words: show your work.
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About the lines: By law, congressional districts must be compact, contiguous, nearly equal in population, minimize the splitting of political subdivisions, and protect racial and language minority groups. But even state or federal law dictating such criteria does not guarantee they’ll be followed; and other legitimate factors may be raised by Pennsylvanians that should be incorporated into the final map. Mapping-drawing is complicated, as WHYY notes, but that shouldn’t preclude an open, fair, and public-driven process. Read Seventy’s full testimony.
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Delayed timeline? States are scheduled to receive the population data they need for redistricting on Aug. 16, but the date could be delayed because of a lawsuit over how the Census Bureau counts people living in group settings.
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Philly joins Tioga and York counties in rejecting audit scheme
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Good audit, bad audit: In interviews with City & State PA, election experts from Center for Democracy and Technology, the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Cyber Law Policy and NYU’s Brennan Center for Justice differentiate good audits from bad ones, and explain why Sen. Mastriano’s ill-advised proposal could force counties to purchase new voting equipment and foster even greater mistrust of future elections.
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Since 2019, CA, TX, FL, NY and PA have made numerous changes to their election rules. The Fulcrum is tracking 18 potential changes in every state and Washington, D.C.
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City finances OK (for now) PICA says: The PA financial watchdog approved the city’s latest five-year plan but flagged low cash reserves and upcoming labor costs as causes for concern. PICA’s legislative mandate is scheduled to end next year, but retaining it or something similar might not be a bad idea.
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PA ethics-law review: House State Government Committee chair Seth Grove (R-York) announced a review of the state’s ethics laws in the wake of Rep. Margo Davidson’s arrest on theft and fraud charges. The Delaware County Democrat allegedly claimed per-diem expenses she didn’t incur and requested reimbursement for expenses her campaign committee had already covered.
What is voting? Pew finds a wide partisan divide on whether voting is a fundamental right or a privilege with responsibilities.
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Become a Buchholz Fellow
Are you passionate about Philadelphia? Do you want to know more about how to positively affect change in our city? Are you a young professional interested in serving on a respected nonprofit board? As a nonpartisan civic leadership organization that’s existed for 117 years, the Committee of Seventy knows how critical it is that we develop and connect the next generation of community leaders. That is why we launched the Buchholz Fellowship, in honor of board member and civic leader Carl Buchholz. Apply today!
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Documentary screening: UnRepresented
Streaming Fri., July 30 and Sat., July 31
PBS World
UnRepresented is a new documentary that reveals the mechanisms that drive the cycle of corruption in Congress—giving political insiders enormous, unchecked power. The film explores how special interests bankroll political campaigns and relentlessly lobby to rig the system in their favor, all while following the letter of the law. Featuring Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig and former member of Congress Rep. Justin Amash, the film reveals both the inner workings and the dysfunctional nature of Congress as well as the powerful possibilities to reform our government to better represent the people. Watch on AppleTV, Google Play or Vudu.
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PA Appellate Courts Candidate Forum
Mon., Sept. 20, 7 pm
Online
Candidates for open seats on PA’s Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Courts appear in a virtual forum moderated by Maureen M. McBride, co-chair of the appellate division at Lamb McErlane PC. The event is sponsored by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the League of Women Voters of PA, the PA Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Allegheny County Bar Association. Register.
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For the first time in our 117-year history, Seventy has created a membership program to broaden, diversify and expand our community of local democracy-builders. Your membership also provides unique opportunities to meet civic leaders and policy experts, gain inside knowledge of the reform process, and connect with people who are passionate about our city and commonwealth.
Become a member today!
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