Latest Reapportionment Trick: Phil. Housemember Resigns, Election Held in Conservative York Co.

[JPZenger]

Here's the latest trick in the republican-controlled reapportionment of legislative districts. PA. House member Dennis O'Brien of Phila. is resigning to take a seat on Phil. City Council. That means a special election is held for his seat. However, the Republicans on the reappointment committee decided to move this particular House district to a conservative part of York County. Therefore, they are practically guaranteed to add a conservative Republican to the House.

Mr. O'Brien was technically a Republican, but on important votes (such as school budget cuts), he could be counted on to vote with the Democrats.

This shift might have been explained if Philadelphia was continuing to see a reduction in population, but it is not. Instead, the reduction in population has mainly been occurring in the western part of the state.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-11-27/news/30447167_1_special-elections-house-seats-second-council-district