PA Legislative Reapportionment Committee Fails to Pick Fifth

The four legislative caucus leaders were unable to choose a fifth and final member for the Legislative Reapportionment Committee by midnight April fourth sending the task to the PA Supreme Court. The fifth member must be a resident of Pennsylvania.

The committee is charged with redrawing the state legislative districts based on the latest census numbers. The committee does not redraw the congressional districts, that task is the responsibility of the full house and senate.

State Senator Jay Costa of Forest Hills is a member of the committee due to his position as Senate Democratic Leader. He says the committee interviewed fifteen candidates over the last few weeks but could not come to a consensus on which one to choose. However, he stopped short of calling it a partisan issue. “We were impressed with the candidates that came forward but it’s a very complicated and complex issue to deal with and difficult to sometimes reach a consensus,” says Costa.

The fifth member becomes the chair of the committee. Costa says he is not concerned that the four caucus leaders could not pick a fifth member. “Three of the last four years that there has been a reapportionment there always have been, depending on who you talk to, the court has made exceptional selections,” says Costa.

The only time the caucus leaders have been able to agree on a fifth members since the 1970 census was in 1981. The court now has until May 4th to name a chairman for the committee. The committee’s work is then expected to be done near the end of 2011 and voters will make selections in the new districts in 2012.

Western PA Could Lose Congressional Seat

County-level census data shows eastern Pennsylvania has gained population, while the western half’s numbers have shrunk.

Only three counties west of Centre gained population over the past decade, while nearly every eastern county’s population went up, with Chester, Monroe and Pike counties leading the way, percentage-wise.

An interactive map of the new numbers is available at the Census’ website.

Pennsylvania loses a Congressional seat this year, and the trends mean state lawmakers will likely look westward, when they decide which district to eliminate. Republican political consultant Christopher Nicholas has been keeping a close eye on the redistricting process. He argued the new numbers give the GOP an even stronger hand as the bill drafting begins. “The three most quote-unquote overpopulated Congressional districts – the ones with the most growth – are all Republican, held by Republicans. The 6th, Jim Gerlach; the 16th, Joe Pitts; and the 19th, Todd Platts,” he said. “Conversely, the three Congressional districts in the state which have shrunk the most are controlled by Democrats. The 2nd District, which is Chaka Fattah; the 12th District, which is Mark Critz; and the 14th District, which is Mike Doyle.”

Congressional redistricting is done through the traditional legislative process, which means Republicans will be able to easily dictate the new boundaries, since they control the House, Senate and governor’s office. The bill needs to be signed into law before January 2012, when prospective candidates will begin distributing nomination papers.

U.S. Census Reports Pittsburgh Population Decrease

While Pennsylvania's population remains the 6th highest in the union with 12,702,379 residents, southwest Pennsylvania's population faces decline. According to the 2010 Census results Allegheny County experienced a 4.6% population loss counting for 58,318 people, while Pittsburgh's population dropped to 305,704 from 334,563.

Chris Briem, Regional Economist at Pitt's University Center for Social and Urban Research, says that the declining population is fallout from families migrating after a lot of industry left the region. "The job loss here, the loss of heavy industry here, was about as extreme as you would find even by Rust Belt standards. So I think a lot of those long term demographic trends are impacting us more than elsewhere."

Briem says that once families left the region they took away some of the opportunity for the population to grow and left behind an older population that is less likely to have children.

Other Pennsylvania regions fared better than the Pittsburgh region with the entire state gaining 421,325 people and Philadelphia County acquiring an additional 8,456 people.

Legislative Redistricting Begins Next Month

As state lawmakers prepare to draw new legislative districts in Pennsylvania this year based on the latest census data, government reform advocates are calling for a more transparent process.
The special committee of four lawmakers and one outsider will be chosen by May, and they’ll have until October to develop a draft plan for new State House and Senate districts.
Advocates from the League of Women Voters and other watchdog groups want a nonpartisan panel to draw districts in the future.
Barry Kauffman of Common Cause PA points out other states are taking this approach.

"In California they have a new system, which is going to be very interesting to watch, where regular citizens can apply to be in the commission. I think there’s 14 members. There’s five Democrats, there’s five Republicans, and four have to be from other parties, or independents."

Olivia Thorne, the president of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, wants the process to be more transparent.

"Notices of commission and committee meetings, public hearings, transcripts of testimony presented at public meetings and any written testimony would be posted on the Internet, and otherwise would be available to the public within 48 hours of being received."

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi says you can’t completely remove politics from the process.

"Well someone’s going to appoint this independent commission or any commission. I don’t think it’s possible, as long as human beings are drawing these lines, to separate political considerations from the redistricting process."

Pileggi says lawmakers will hold hearings across the state this year, and will post redistricting information and maps on a special website.
Congressional districts will be re-drawn this year, too, but that happens through the regular legislative process.

PA Reliance on Fed $'s Part of National Trend

Pennsylvania wasn’t alone in relying on increased federal support to balance its budget and pay out unemployment compensation over the last few years.
Pennsylvania balanced its last two budgets, in part, with billions of federal stimulus dollars.
The state also borrowed heavily from the federal government to make up for a shortfall in its unemployment compensation fund.
The report by the Census Bureau shows state revenue dropped 30 percent in 2009.
Cheryl Lee of the Census Bureau says the bulk of losses were the result of the decline in the stock market, which hurt social trust funds set up to pay for pension programs, unemployment compensation and other safety nets.

"This is looking at the unrealized gains and losses on these investments in this area. It’s not that it’s actually money changing hands. It’s really literally money that’s still in the market, but it hasn’t really gone anywhere."

Numbers compiled by the Census Bureau show federal grants to states increased 13 percent in 2009, and made up nearly a third of states’ revenue.
Lee says nearly sixty percent of the federal money was directed to welfare programs.

"Those grants were there as really – had to make sure those programs were maintained. I mean really there wasn’t much choice, or else there would be major problems being able to help the people that needed them."

If you take out the social trust fund dive, nationwide state revenue only dipped about one point five percent.

Population and Activity Grow Downtown

More people live downtown and more workers are using the bus to get there. Those are among the findings released Monday by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership as part of its regular surveys of downtown activity. In 2000 there were about 3,000 people calling the Golden Triangle, the North Shore, the Strip District and the Bluff home. That number jumped to 7,200 in 2010. PDP President and CEO Michael Edwards says the economy slowed the growth, “we had, in the pipeline, when the economy crashed, about 4,500 more units of housing… that were scheduled to be built in the area that we are talking about, and those have been delayed or not gone forward. If they had gone forward there would be another 5,000 people living downtown.”

The study finds the average household size increased to 1.5 people and one-third of residents have annual incomes of more than $100,000. Edwards says that is reflective of the relatively high cost of housing in the Golden Triangle but he notes there is some very affordable housing in the Strip and other places. The study also finds that the “peak age group” downtown is 25-29 and 4% of households include children.

The study also looks at those who come downtown on a regular basis but do not live there. Edwards says the average commute to downtown is 13 miles or 36-39 minutes, 4 in 10 commuters are age 35 or younger and 53% of commuters use public transportation. In 2003 the number was 48%. Edwards notes that the increase comes, “despite all the busing cut backs over the last few years.” He says, “I think it is really reflective of the increased cost of gasoline, the increased cost of parking, the more efficient bus system that people can get their heads around and understand.”

The study asked weekend users why they come downtown and among the top reasons was a never before seen response, “to work out and to exercise.” “Its because of the plethora of new biking trails and running trails and parks and things that have been delivered by RiverLife, the foundation community and others,” says Edwards. The PDP has started to use those amenities as it tries to attract residents and new businesses.


Other interesting fact in the study:
• Weekly average spending at Downtown restaurants/retailers by downtown residents: $183
• Two-thirds of Downtown workers are employed in Service or Finance industries
• Downtown employee count by industry class and census track: 126,370
• Liberty and Penn Avenue are heavily populated with workers, while the Boulevard of the Allies is mostly traveled by students
• Market Square and Fifth Avenue are seeing increased traffic and are among the busiest pedestrian areas due to recent revitalization
• Weekday foot traffic peaks at 8:15 a.m.; 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. and from 4:45 – 5:15 p.m. Largest peak is during the “lunch hour”

Download a PDP published summary sheet on the finding here.

PA Pop Grows But Congressional Delegation Falls

For the ninth straight census, Pennsylvania is losing at least one Congressional seat. The state gained population in the 2010 census, but other states grew at quicker rates, so instead of 19, the commonwealth will have 18 representatives, beginning in 2013. That puts the focus once again on the redistricting to be done in the coming year.

State Senate Republican spokesman Erik Arneson says the loss fits into a 90-year trend. “You have to go back to 1920 to find a year where we didn't lose at least one. 1910 we had 36, 1920 we had 36. Every ten years since then we have lost at least one, and most often 2 or 3, members of the US House,” says Arneson. The House and Senate will draw the new districts through the regular legislative process, as opposed to General Assembly redistricting, which is accomplished through a special committee. Arneson says redistricting won't begin until the summer or fall. “Although we have statewide numbers right now, and we know what Pennsylvania's statewide population is, we don't have county, municipal or even precinct-level data. And we need those things to be able to draw Congressional districts.” That work will begin in the fall. Arneson says, “There is no legal deadline for completing the redistricting process, either for Congress or for the state legislative seats. The practical deadline, though, is January of 2012, when people will be circulating petitions to announce that they're going to run for various seats.”

Mr. McFeely and Mayor Urge Pittsburghers to Mail In Census Forms

Thursday April 1st is Census Day. American residents are urged to mail in a census form. The form collects basic demographic information that is used to determine how to apportion members of the House of Representatives and how federal funding is distributed. Mr. McFeely of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Census Officials gathered on the front steps of The City-County Building to urge all residents to mail in their forms.
"When federal dollars are given out to communities for transportation projects, for infrastructure improvements, for schools - those types of things, they base those allocations a lot of the times on how many people you have living in your community," said Ravenstahl.
Mr. McFeely, known as Speedy Delivery, then dropped off his and the Mayor's census forms at the post office.

Census Seeks to Smooth the Way for Mailings

The U.S. Census Bureau wants residents to know a few things as the questionnaires go out to households around the country. There are only ten question, return postage is free and answers are completely confidential. Pam Golden, Media Specialist for the bureau says it's important that people complete and return the forms because that data will determine congressional districts and the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal, state and local funds for the next ten years. She notes that international students and immigrants also have to be counted, since this is a tally of current residents, not citizens. She also wants to make sure college students are not over or under counted; the bureau is working with universities to get forms to those who live in dorms, commuter students should be counted as a part of the household in which they live, and those living independently will receive a form in the mail. Golden warns that if they do not receive a form by mail, door knockers will be deployed to get the data. More information can be found at 2010census.gov.

Rendell Makes Census Push

Governor Ed Rendell is launching a major outreach effort aimed at making sure every Pennsylvania resident is counted in this year’s census.
Experts are predicting Pennsylvania will lose a Congressional seat once this year’s Census results are finalized. That’s not because the commonwealth lost population, but due to other states growing at a faster rate.
Governor Rendell doesn’t accept that analysis, and predicts the Congressional delegation will stay the same, as long as every resident is properly counted.
He’s launching an ad campaign and outreach effort aimed at driving up Census participation.
Rendell says people need to realize the Census isn’t invasive.

"There is no chance that someone after you fill out that form is going to knock on your door or subpoena you for jury duty. It does not mean immigration agents will show up at your door. And no one will come looking for you for unpaid parking tickets if you fill out our form."

Rendell has put together a Census advisory board to steer outreach efforts.
It’s co-chaired by former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris...

"And we do have a goal. And that is for Pennsylvania to have the most complete and accurate count of any state for the 2010 census. Not this is a bold goal – but not for the championship state of Pennsylvania."

Rendell says the federal government distributes 400 billion dollars each year, based on Census results, so an under-count could hurt the state down the line. Census forms will be mailed out in March, and need to be returned in April.

Officials Urge Participation in Census

Census forms will be mailed out to Pennsylvania households in the coming months, and government officials are trying to get the word out that a person can’t get into trouble by filling out a form.
Appearing before a Pennsylvania House Committee, assistant regional census manager Philip Lutz pointed out the task is to count the number of people living in the United States, whether or not they’re here legally or breaking any laws.
He says it’s sometimes difficult to convince undocumented immigrants or those with outstanding warrants to fill out forms, adding the bad economy may complicate the matter.

"A number of people who may be losing their homes, and now they’re doubled up with relatives or friends. Who may not be living there according to local zoning laws, or maybe the landlord doesn’t know they’re in there, or the housing authority. And people are going to be reluctant to tell the government, here are all these people living in this house."

Lutz says census officials are barred by law from sharing information with authorities or other branches of government, and will only publish statistical and not personal data. Forms will be distributed in March, and are due April 1.

Census Looking for Workers

The US Census Bureau is taking applications from people wanting to help with the decennial count in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Local Census Spokesperson Pam Golden says the process should be completed online as soon as possible. Most of the hiring will be done starting in January with the surveys being sent out mid March. “Census Day” is April 1st. Golden says most of the jobs will be “in the field.” In some cases Census workers will be hand delivering forms to homes without regular mail delivery and making calls on homes that have not returned the form. Pay for the “Part-time temporary” positions will range from $15.00 per hour to $18.75 per hour. Golden says the work hours are flexible and the Bureau tries to keep workers as close to home as possible to take advantage of the knowledge of the neighborhoods. She says that makes it an excellent job for someone looking to augment their income from another job but she says in some instance workers may be able to get as much as 40 hours a week. Depending on the job and the location, the work could begin almost immediately. Golden says the jobs will last for anywhere from three weeks to more than three months. Nationwide the Census Bureau plans to hire 1.4 million temporary workers.

Number of Pennsylvanians Slowly Growing

Pennsylvania's population is rising slowly but steadily. That's according to estimates released today by the U-S Census Bureau, which show a 2-point-6 percent growth rate between 2000 and 2009.
The nationwide increase was 9-point-1 percent. Sue Copella, who directs the Pennsylvania State Data Center in Middletown, says the rise in the commonwealth can be attributed to a few factors including the steady flow of people moving to other states is being outweighed by the number of people moving to the commonwealth from
other countries.
Overall, Pennsylvania remains the sixth-largest state.The numbers out today are overall statewide figures. The Census Bureau is expected to release local population estimates in March.

Census Study Completed

The Pew Charitable Trust has completed a study on the preparations that Philadelphia is taking for the upcoming 2010 census. In completing the study Pittsburgh's preparations were examined and compared with Philadelphia's along with 9 other Cities across the country. The report found that nearly all of the cities in the report are conducting awareness campaigns with no money from local budgets, forcing them to rely on the help on non profit and volunteer organizations. The study concluded that Pittsburgh is doing all that it can at this point and is in good shape for the upcoming census. Some responsibilities of preparing for the census include preparing traditionally under counted communities like African American, Hispanic and low income families. The study also found that Pittsburgh was the only city of the 11 that were studied to have been over counted in the 2000 census. Normally, some groups are under counted and some are over counted because they either did not receive a census or have multiple addresses and completed multiple forms.

Census Bureau Releases 2008 Population Numbers

The United States Census Bureau has released population numbers for the year 2007-2008. Pittsburgh once again lost population but at a rate slower than at the start of the decade. Allegheny County also saw a small loss in population. Director of the State Data Center Sue Copella says even though Allegheny County lost population some areas saw strong growth at a rate higher than the state.

Of the National highlights New Orleans was the fastest growing city in 2008 as its population gets closer to pre-Katrina levels. Copella says the growth in New Orleans was expected as more people are able to return to the city. New York city tops the list of most populated cities with over 8.3 million people, with Philadelphia in 6Th place on the top ten list of largest U.S. cities.
To view a map on estimated population changes between July 2007 and July 2008.
To view a map on estimated population changes from 2000 to 2008 in Pennsylvania.

2010 Census

Next year's census will be unlike any other done before because it will use handheld computers with GPS tracking devices to take home and address information. Philadelphia Regional Census Center Deputy Regional Director Ted Roman says the 2000 census was taken on all paper, including paper forms and paper maps. Pittsburgh is a part of the Philadelphia Regional Census Center. The computers are being used in order to create the most accurate data possible. Roman says the information entered will be transmitted on an hourly basis to the control database as encrypted files to ensure security and anonymity. Keeping information security is a primary goal for the Census Bureau. The questionnaires, which will be sent to all valid addresses in March 2010, will list seven simple topics that include name, race and age.

PA Population Grows Slowly

The latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Data Center show Pennsylvania’s population continues to grow but at a comparatively slow rate. Since the 2000 census it is estimated that the state’s population has grown by 1.4% (167,227) while at the same time to nation has grown by 8% (22,635,122). Contributing to the states slow growth rate is a net domestic out migration and a small spread between the death rate and the birth rate in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania ranks 2nd in the nation in death rate and 47th in birth rate. Data Center Director Sue Copella says the numbers show the out migration rate is starting to shrink and could turn around in the next decade. Contributing to the growth is a net in migration from other countries.

Pennsylvania growing slowly

The latest Census Bureau estimates show Pennsylvania grew at the rate of point-2 percent from 2007-2007. That compares to 1 percent nation wide but is similar to other states in the Northeast including New York at .1%, New Jersey at .2% and Maryland at .3%. Most of Pennsylvania’s growth came from in migration from outside the United States. International migration accounted for 16,829 new Pennsylvanians in 2006 while migration within the US accounted for a loss of 7,377 residents. The state saw slow natural growth with births outstripping deaths by 18,676 lives. The Census Bureau estimates Pennsylvania’s population was 12,432,792 July 1 2007. That makes it the 6th largest state. The .2% population change ranks 41sty in the nation and the real growth of 29,975 ranked Pennsylvania 24th in the nation.

See report from the Pennsylvania State Data Center.