The fallout continues from the Great Pennsylvania Redistricting Debate.
Say this about Pennsylvania: We can't figure out our state budget or the sale of booze, but we don't mess around when it comes to drawing new Congressional maps.
Of course, when it comes to matters of politics - especially in Pennsylvania - everyone has their own ax to grind.
That's why it's not terribly surprising to see the reaction to the new Congressional map issued by the state Supreme Court Monday,.
Some people are happy, some are angry, and some are livid.
State Republicans are not thrilled with the handiwork of the state's high court.
Here's a stunning revelation. The high court just happens to be a 5-2 Democratic majority. Did you think Republicans were not going to notice. They believe the justices are guilty of a constitutional overreach, basically usurping a role that the state constitution reserves for the Legislature. They're vowing to be in court today to challenge the map issued by the court.
Here in Delaware County, Republican GOP Chairman Andy Reilly is not thrilled about the flip-flop that took place in the eastern end of what is now going to be the 5th District. In addition to including all of Delaware County in one district, the justices added a chunk of South Philadelphia to the Delco turf. It's kind of the opposite of the old map, where a sliver of Delaware County, along the river and including the city of Chester, was cut out of the 7th District and handed over to Rep. Bob Brady. Get those details here.
Reilly knows numbers. He sees all those Democratic votes in Philadelphia and sees a 'lopsided' map now tilted in favor or Democrats.
The Dems, while relishing having the entire county now under one roof - one that now has a majority Democratic voter registration edge - might have problems of their own.
And again it has to do with that chunk of the 5th sitting in Philly. Now all those Democrats who were lining up to see the 1st District seat - especially in light of Brady's decision not to run - have to figure out whether they want to challenge one of the incumbents in the city's other two remaining districts, or take their chances in the 5th. That could bring them into conflict with Delco Dems, who want one of their own to represent the district that for the most part Delaware County turf. Get those details here.
Finally there is the one person who might be angrier than anyone about the way the new maps shook out.
That would be Chester County Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6. His district is still there, but it's not the same one he serves now in terms of geography. Specifically, it has now been extended all the way out into Berks County and Reading, which is full of Democratic voters.
Costello is not amused. Yesterday he took dead aim at Gov. Wolf and the Democratic justices, saying they 'colluded' on the new map in a 'corrupt' process and suggesting the judges be impeached. His side of the story is here.
Finally, on our editorial page, we talk about the new map. It's clear that this a huge improvement over the disastrous redistricting plan done by Republicans who control the Legislature back in 2011. That piece of work gave us the immortal "Goofy Kicking Donald Duck" version of the 7th District.
That's now gone. The complaining is not.
I'm shocked.
Read the editorial here.
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