Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati is throwing his weight behind a few measures that have, of late, been more commonly championed by Democrats. The top Republican official, of Cameron County, said in a wide-ranging speech Monday that he wants to see the redistricting process overhauled, and also switch the commonwealth to open primaries. Scarnati made it clear, his anger over the state Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate and redraw Pennsylvania’s congressional map hasn’t abated. But in the midst of reproaching the justices for having “trampled, shredded, and burned” the constitution, he said he knows the process has to change–though he added, it’ll be a challenge.
“Taking politics out of drawing congressional boundaries is like taking salt out of the ocean,” he said.
Scarnati didn’t elaborate on potential reforms.
The Senate is expected to unveil a plan for some sort of independent citizens commission this week.
Full Article: Top GOP state senator pushes for redistricting, election overhauls | State House Sound Bites | witf.org.