|
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Dante Santoni
|
|
Santoni: Congressional reapportionment is slap at Berks County
HARRISBURG, Dec. 20 – State Rep. Dante Santoni, D-Berks, said today he voted "no" on the congressional reapportionment legislation (S.B. 1249) because it divides Berks County in unnecessary and confusing ways.
"There is no reason that the voters of Berks Country should share districts with people so far away." Santoni said. "It flies in the face of county identity and common sense.
"Senate Bill 1249 defies logic," said Santoni. "The process by which it was considered was an insult to voters – the lack of public input, the plan that has one district extending almost from the New York to the Maryland borders – all lend to an air of playing with a basic right of all citizens – the right to representation."
Under S.B. 1249 Berks County will still have four members of the U.S. House of Representatives, however, the shifts are confusing and split communities in unnecessary ways, Santoni said. "Traditional communities of interest should remain together in the same district.
"I think this plan is sloppy – and while the House Republican leadership maintains it meets the letter of the constitutional requirements, I believe it takes a slap at the intent of those requirements," Santoni said, "as well as a slap in the face of the voters of Berks County."
Today's passage sends the bill to the governor. The state courts are expected to certify the new districts by mid-January.
###