(File Photo)
Monday, January 10, 2022 at 6:40 AM

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission, said Friday that it was clear after two days of commission hearings on the proposed plans that changes must be made to the preliminary House map.

“Whether it has been testimony about how communities of interest in southwestern Pennsylvania have been broken apart, how Cumberland County deserves an additional House seat based upon population gain, how the preliminary House map dilutes the voice of Hispanic voters, or any number of other concerns that have been submitted to the commission, it is clear that significant changes are needed to the preliminary House map,” Benninghoff said.

“I have said from the beginning of this process that I want to work toward a product that is both good for Pennsylvania and can receive a unanimous vote. However, two days of hearings on the preliminary House map confirms it fails to achieve either goal.”

Benninghoff also noted he has continued the process of reaching out to fellow commissioners to further discussions on improving the preliminary House map.

“I have had discussions with both Commission Chairman Mark Nordenberg and House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, and I am confident we will work more collaboratively toward a final House map,” Benninghoff added.

“I look forward to those discussions and reaching consensus on a product that will ensure fair and constitutionally sound representation for Pennsylvanians for the next decade.”