HARRISBURG – Senator Ryan Aument (R-Landisville) announced today that he intends to support Senate Bill 22, a legislative measure that would constitutionally change the manner in which Pennsylvania’s Congressional and state House and Senate legislative districts would be created. He issued the following statement:
“For the past two years, there has been an important debate on ways to improve the current process of how the Commonwealth’s Congressional and state House and Senate legislative districts are apportioned for the purposes of elections.
I have closely monitored the litigation surrounding this issue, heard from many of my constituents, and carefully considered how best to promote a reapportionment process that mitigates the overt influence of political considerations while developing legislative districts.
During that time, I have been asked to cosponsor Senate Bill 22, and I have previously declined because I believe that the elected members of the General Assembly must continue to play a salient role in the redistricting process, which the federal Constitution clearly states.
In reviewing the amendments made to Senate Bill 22 which were unanimously supported in the Senate State Government Committee, I believe I can now support the bill.
What is considered ‘fair’ will always be the subject of disagreement.
However, what is important is that reforms are being advanced that are intended to promote concepts the public has endorsed and that they are being done so in a manner consistent with the principles contained in our federal and state constitutions.”
Contact: Jake Smeltz (717) 787-4420