LRC Testimony Solutions: Submission 807
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This proposed modification to the LRC's preliminary plan amends House districts in Lackawanna County, consistent with Submission 807 and other objections to the four-way division of Scranton. The affected districts are HD112, HD113, HD114, and HD118. The LRC map is otherwise unchanged. Although the LRC's treatment of Scranton does not appear egregious, dividing a city of 76,000 residents four ways may expose the Preliminary Plan to avoidable legal challenges. This revision would address such concerns, while minimizing partisan effects. The main change is HD113 and HD114 absorbing the Scranton precincts previously occupied by HD112 and HD118. In return, HD112 and HD118 receive parts of the inner suburbs. As a result, the city is divided only once, between HD113 and HD114. Ward boundaries serve as a line of demarcation between the northwestern (HD114) and southeastern (HD113) sections. There is no discernible effect on core metrics or indicators of partisan bias. The sole concern in this regard would be a very slight "reddening" of HD118. This shift does not seem to pose a material threat to Rep. Carroll, whose current district is substantially less favorable than either the LRC's version or this revision. Of the four redrawn districts, three become more compact. The sole exception is HD114, which remains reasonable. If the Commissioners - and Chief Counsel Byer in particular - regard the four-way division of Scranton as legally sound, this proposal can be disregarded. Note that HD118 cannot take territory from adjacent districts in Luzerne County. Doing so would have repercussions as far south as HD116, the emerging Hispanic opportunity district around Hazleton.