HARRISBURG PA – The Republican-controlled state Legislature is due to begin gathering U.S. Census data this week that will allow it to consolidate Pennsylvania’s 19 Congressional districts into 18, and re-draw lines on 203 state House districts and 50 state Senate districts, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper reported Tuesday (March 8, 2011).

The Census Bureau's Redistricting Guide

Redistricting, as the every-10-years exercise is known, may have an effect on representation Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick (PA) townships, and the borough of Pottstown, receive in the Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives.

Lower Pottsgrove currently is represented in Congress by Rep. Charlie Dent of the 15th District, whose offices and home are based in the Lehigh Valley. Limerick and Pottstown are represented by Rep. Jim Gerlach of the 6th District, based in Chester County. Both were among those invited to participate Monday (March 7) in a meeting with state Senate leaders for a briefing on how redistricting would work.

Pennsylvania will lose one House seat because its population has declined.

• Read a story by reporter Mike Wereschagin, titled “Republicans cast gaze on Pennsylvania redistricting,” and published Tuesday in The Tribune-Review, here.
• Read a story by reporter Tom Barnes, titled “Redistricting won’t occur for months, GOP says,” and published Monday in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper, here.
• Read a story by reporters Colby Itkowitz and John L. Micek, titled “Census numbers weaken Pennsylvania’s voice in D.C.,” and published Monday in The (Allentown PA) Morning Call newspaper, here. It mentions Dent.

Related:

• Local Congressmen Attend State Redistrict Meeting
• Lower Pottsgrove May Again Be In Redistricting Battle