Dear Editor,

A couple of weeks after Roe was overturned, the Pennsylvania legislature recessed for the summer — and typical for the ending of a legislative session here was the hurried passage of a partisan piece of legislation. It’s the old story: amendments or bills from the party in power (the Republicans) are given a vote while amendments from the party out of power get tabled! That’s huge!

And since I’m speaking of power politics, why is it that bills to address the redistricting process with a Citizens’ Redistricting Commission invariably get gutted or blocked? Let’s take as much of the politics out of redistricting as possible by having an independent citizens’ commission deciding on the boundaries of the congressional maps. OK?

Why not give the party out of power in Harrisburg the opportunity to take a more democratic approach by reforming the legislative rules? Recall that it was Donald Trump who sowed doubt about mail-in ballots in the 2020 election. But under state law, counties can’t even open those ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. Republican lawmakers, however, have blocked attempts to change this rule that would produce a prompt election result! And is there any doubt as to what the PA electorate will be hearing from Republicans this November?

More of the same, wouldn’t you agree? Bottom line: please consider voting for Democrats up and down the ballot this fall!

Reg L. Regis,

Wayne