A map for whom? Advocate says map makers should engage Pa.’s diverse communities | Wednesday Coffee

Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

If you were watching or in attendance at the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s first public comment hearing Tuesday evening, you may have heard Salewa Ogunmefun testify about the need for the commission to seek “meaningful input” from Pennsylvania’s most diverse communities in regard to the legislative redistricting process. 

Ogunmefun, who is executive director of Pennsylvania Voice, a statewide network of organizations that aim to increase civic engagement, access and representation in Pennsylvania, spoke to the Capital-Star about redistricting efforts.

While others have lauded this year’s efforts to redraw the maps as more transparent than previous attempts, Ogunmefun told the Capital-Star Tuesday that public hearings aren’t enough.

“I think there’s a lot more that they [the LRC] could be doing,” Ogunmefun said, adding that the existence of public hearings doesn’t mean the process is transparent for all.

“It’s easy to translate that as transparent,” Ogunmefun said, noting that without more advance notice of the hearings, and more outreach efforts, people in communities of interests – such as BIPOC communities – won’t be heard.

This isn’t the first time the topic of transparency has come up, either.

2012 Pa. Senate Map (Capital-Star screen capture).

During a hearing of the House State Government Committee last month, calls for increased transparency were echoed by experts and advocates alike.

“This time, voters are demanding transparency and more,” Jean Handley of Fair Districts PA told the committee then.

Ogunmefun shared five recommendations for the LRC that she believes would improve the redistricting process for Pennsylvania’s diverse communities:

  1. Publish the public hearing schedule as soon as possible (at least two weeks in advance),
  2. Create room for community experts to testify, 
  3. Call witnesses that reflect/represent the diversity of Pennsylvania,
  4. Appoint an outreach director from a diverse background,
  5. Meet as soon as possible with Pennsylvania Voice to share best practices.

Currently, 2020 Census redistricting data is scheduled to arrive by Sept. 30. 

This, Ogunmefun said, leaves plenty of time for the commission to bring Pennsylvania’s diverse communities into the dialogue.

“We have so much more time,” Ogunmefun said. “We should have the opportunity to engage in this process.”

An SEIU activist rallies for a $15/hr. minimum wage, which was one of the policies that F&M researchers polled in their most recent public opinion survey. (Stephen Melkisethian/Flickr Commons)

Our stuff

Amid inflation and staffing shortages, is now the time for Pa.’s minimum wage to increase? PLCA Intern Lindsay Weber has the story.

On our Commentary Page this morning, The Conversation’s Sheldon Jacobson discusses potential pitfalls for college athletes and The Philadelphia Tribune’s Michael Coard celebrates the 164th birthday of presidential candidate George Edwin Taylor. 

ICYMI:

Marley Parish reports: Glenn O. Hawbaker to pay more than $20 million in restitution to Pa. workers

From the D.C. Bureau’s Ariana Figueroa:Pa. Sen. Bob Casey, state legislators rallying in D.C. urge Congress to act on voting rights

Ariana Figueroa and Laura Olson report: Feds order new eviction ban in counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates

Elsewhere

The latest from The Philadelphia Inquirer: Can bosses insist you get a COVID vaccine? Yes, but with caveats

Wegmans, a New York-based grocery store change with 18 stores in Pennsylvania is asking all customers to wear a mask, PennLive reports. 

From the York Daily Record: Why Central Pa. wrestler John Stefanowicz makes quick exit in Tokyo Olympics

The Associated Press via The Carlisle Sentinel reports: GOP senator hopes to issue election subpoenas within 2 weeks

Downtown Erie gets two new sculptures, according to GoErie.com, via Erie Times-News. 

 

Image via Instagram.

What Goes On

The House Democratic Policy Committee will meet at 9 a.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie Wednesday to discuss the economic impact of local breweries, distilleries and wineries. 

The House Education Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday for a vote on HB 1705, followed by a hearing on HB 972.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission will meet again Wednesday at 5 p.m. for citizen feedback on legislative reapportionment.

WolfWatch
No public appearances at this time.

Heavy Rotation
Released in 1977, Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” has seen a revival thanks to TikTok. 

What We’re Reading
The Penn Capital-Star Readers book club on Goodreads is currently reading “Women and Other Monsters” by Jess Zimmerman. To join in on our next read or recommend a book, visit our Goodreads page. 

And now you’re up to date. 



Originally published at www.penncapital-star.com,by Cassie Miller

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