A Message from Carol Kuniholm of Fair Districts PA
The fight for fair districts and fair legislative rules continues.
On January 5, 2021, our legislators will vote on the rules that will shape their work for the next two years. From now until that date, we’ll be calling attention to the need for better rules AND for redistricting reform.
The past few weeks have put on international display the partisan division and lack of legislative accountability enabled by gerrymandered districts. That’s why we’re determined to ensure that maps drawn in 2021 more accurately reflect our counties and communities.
We also need change in the way our legislature works. The more closely we watch, the more evidence we see that good bills with strong public support rarely move out of committee. This session is closing without action on redistricting reform bills or many other important bills addressing issues of pressing concern.
Reform the Rules Town Hall on December 2, at 4 p.m
Pennsylvania received a score of ZERO for legislative agenda fairnessin a 2016 report by the Bipartisan Policy Center and Fair Vote. According to their report, our General Assembly has no best practices in place to ensure good bills with bipartisan support are able to get a vote. There are also no mechanisms in place to promote collaboration or compromise. Instead, current legislative rules reward partisan behavior and undermine any attempt to enact real solutions.
How can you help?
Plan to attend our virtual Reform the Rules Town Hall on December 2, at 4 p.m. We’ll explain more about why rules matter and hear from legislators about their own experience of this. RSVP here.
Follow Fair Districts PA on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and SHARE posts that talk about the need for rules reform.
Consider writing a letter to the editor expressing concern and hope for change . (Check this recent op ed for ideas and key points).
Request a Speaker to provide a virtual presentation to your group. Click here to submit your request.
Remind friends that the current electoral chaos could have been averted by a more-responsive legislature less motivated by partisan concerns. Invite them to sign our petition and join the fight!
We are a long way from the transparent, accountable legislature we all hope to see. We appreciate your help as we continue this work.
Carol Kuniholm
Fair Districts PA