by KYW's vice president and general manager David Yadgaroff
Curious about what the guy who designs jigsaw puzzles does after work? Just take a look at Pennsylvania’s tortured and twisted Congressional and legislative districts.
For instance, in Democratic-dominated Philadelphia, Republican state representative John Perzel presides over a district that looks more like a meandering maze of disjointed highway spills. It’s no coincidence that it includes mostly GOP-friendly neighborhoods. It’s a wonder the poor guy finds his way home at night.
That’s called gerrymandering -- the art of creating political districts to protect incumbent officeholders.
It has nothing to do with fair representation. It occurs after every census and is controlled by the party in power. Once, it even put a Pittsburgh area lawmaker in a Chester County district. No kidding.
The state legislature has a chance to change that, and to put the process in the hands of nonpartisan professionals. But even a former reformer like Philadelphia’s state representative Babette Josephs has gridlocked the bill that would bring it about.
It’s time for Pennsylvania to do what’s right and close down the political puzzle. Or think about calling your state rep -- if you have the area code for Erie, Pa.
To submit a comment or reply to this editorial, send an e-mail to yadgaroff@KYW.com.
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