Opposed to the current redistricting plan
I am a resident of Media and Delaware County and I am opposed to the current redistricting plan proposed by the LRC. As currently proposed, the plan would split our community and school district representation into two districts. This will weaken the ability for our district and community to speak with one voice on common issues in Harrisbug, potentially reducing access to community grants, etc. Our state Constitution clearly highlights that communities of interest should remain together. Our school districts are the heart of our communities. There is no clearer definition of a “community of interest” than a school district. I am strongly in favor of the non partisan legislation championed by Fair Districts PA, a group of concerned citizens, to support reforms to the process. This legislation would have ensured more community cohesion and helped ensure voters are picking their representatives and not vice versa. Sadly, these reforms were never supported by the majority in the legislature. The new districts drawn by the preliminary plan would put 4.6 million Pennsylvanians into brand new districts, a sharp increase from the last redistricting plan approved in 2012. Unfortunately, much of our community is among the 36% of Pennsylvanians placed into a new district. This plan would partition the Rose Tree Media and Marple Newtown school districts into three different House districts. It also divides the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. While I understand that some school districts will need to be split, the Rose Tree Media School District has been wholly placed in the same legislative district for the last 40 years. In fact, the population within the school district is slightly more than 50%of the ideal population of a state House district. By dividing the school district, grants, funding and other state government opportunities will be harmed. By having a unified voice in Harrisburg, the district will remain relevant. It will be a minority of any new House district and will not receive the focus it deserves. I strongly encourage you to abandon the current plan and revert to the non partisan approach championed by Fair Districts PA or a similar approach that promotes more community cohesion.