Politics & Government

State Redistricting Proposal Would Bring Local Changes

Crescent Township could be impacted by the changes.

While Republican-drawn redistricting maps are not yet finalized, local legislators have a general idea of how the plan would affect Sewickley-area communities if  approved.

One of the more drastic changes would come to State Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Big Beaver, who would gain the Allegheny County territories of Leet Township, Bell Acres,  and Sewickley. That means Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Moon, would lose  and Edgeworth but would gain Glenfield and McDonald.

Under the plan, Marshall also would lose Beaver Falls, where his Beaver County district office is based. Marshall said he’ll be “certainly disappointed” to lose Beaver Falls but is excited to meet new people and become more acquainted with local constituents.

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“When it’s all said and done, if I do represent Sewickley, Edgeworth and Leet, I plan to have some form of office capability there, at least on a trial basis if not a permanent basis… I certainly want to have a presence there,” Marshall said.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission released the proposed map earlier this month. The committee is composed of two Republicans, two Democrats and retired state Superior Court Judge Stephen McEwen, who previously was elected as a Republican. There were public hearings Nov. 18 and Nov. 23 about the redistricting plan. A vote to finalize the maps is expected by mid-December.

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Marshall said he looks forward to working bipartisan with Sen. John Pippy, Mustio, and Rob Matzie, D-Ambridge.

Pippy, R-Moon, would lose Mt. Lebanon as part of the 37th district but would gain Crescent and Robinson townships, among others.

Matzie, on the other hand, would lose Bell Acres and  under the current plan but would gain additional territory in Beaver County, including Center Township. Matzie would keep Leetsdale, but he said he hoped he’d also be able to keep the corridor along the county line.

 “I was a little disappointed in losing Bell Acres and Leet,” Matzie said. “This is a preliminary map, so it still could change.”

He doubts it though. Matzie said past history shows the changes are minor and the maps are close to a done deal.

The maps are based on Census population gains and losses, and it’s been a decade since the current district lines were drawn in 2001.

A couple of days before the maps were presented, Matzie said plans showed he would keep ,  and Crescent. He said the day of the meeting, about 20 minutes before the committee approved it, the majority Republican caucus presented a new map that was different from what the Democratic leadership had seen. The committee approved it 3-to-2 along party lines.

“There was some hoopla,” Matzie said. “My district changed somewhat, obviously, losing Bell Acres and Leet…It wasn’t part of the original plan we agreed to.”

Matzie said finalizing the maps will open the redistricting up to any court action from those who believe they aren’t properly represented and would be fast-tracked through the Supreme Court due to the time-sensitivity regarding the next election.

Democrats have blasted the blueprint, calling it . They point to Adam Ravenstahl, D-North Side, who is no longer in the same district after losing several city wards and retaining Ross and West View. Ravenstahl would gain Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Coraopolis and Emsworth.

“They said it was a mistake, technical errors,” said Matzie, who called the proposed changes “fishy” at best.

Matt Campion, spokesman for Pippy's office, said some constituents went to Harrisburg to testify before the maps were drawn to provide input during the fact-finding phase.

“I think the changes make sense, all things considered,” Campion said.

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Here's a look at how it will affect the districts of local legislators if approved:

State Sen. John Pippy, R-37, Moon

Current: Aleppo, Avalon, Bell Acres, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Bethel Park, Bridgevile, Collier, Edgeworth, Emsworth, Findlay, Glenfield, Haysville, Jefferson Hills, Kilbuck, Leet, Leetsdale, Moon, Mount Lebanon, North Fayette, Oakdale, Ohio, Osborne, Pleasant Hills, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills, South Fayette, South Park, Upper St. Clair, Whitehall and part of Washington County consisting of Peters.

Proposed Gains: Crescent, Glen Osborne, Pennsbury Village, Robinson, and in Washington County, Hanover, Nottingham, Peters, Robinson, Union and Finleyville. 

Proposed Loss: Mt. Lebanon and Osborne (just the name, the municipality is technically now Glen Osborne).

State Rep. Mark Mustio, R-44, Moon

Current: Aleppo, Ben Avon Heights, Collier, Edgeworth, Findlay, Haysville, Kilbuck, Moon, North Fayette, Ohio, Osborne, Robinson, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights and Sewickley Hills.

Proposed Gains: Glenfield and McDonald, (also Glen Osborne by name)

Proposed Loss: Edgeworth and Sewickley. 


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