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For all media inquiries contact: Executive director Philip Hensley-Robin at 610-203-2364 or phensleyrobin@commoncause.org Communications strategist Dera Silvestre at dsilvestre@commoncause.org or 401-392-2390

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The Fight Doesn’t End, Redistricting Reform Will Move Forward

On Monday, June 25th the Pennsylvania legislative assembly adjourned for what is probably the final time until September without passing redistricting reform legislation. During recent weeks heavy activity was focused on attempts to pass a redistricting bill to improve the process of drawing congressional and legislative maps in Pennsylvania.

Zane Memeger, Ajay Raju Honored by Common Cause Pennsylvania at 2018 Awards Reception

A former federal prosecutor and the founder of a local foundation working to underwrite a cultural, educational, and commercial renaissance in the city are the recipients of the 2018 Bob Edgar Public Service Achievement Awards from Common Cause Pennsylvania.

18 Plaintiffs Who Challenged Pennsylvania Gerrymander Receive Democracy Defender Award

On May 21st Common Cause Pennsylvania presented the Democracy Defender Awards to the eighteen plaintiffs of the PA Supreme Court gerrymandering case during the Democracy Works Summit, held at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel in Philadelphia. The award is given to a group, organization or individual who has displayed commitment to achieving democracy in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs, who represented each of Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts, provided testimony on the adverse impacts of the extreme partisan gerrymander passed by the legislature in 2011. Since the successful court challenge to the map, the group has continued, beyond the successful court case, to become strong advocates in promoting solutions to issues such as gerrymandering, voting rights, and others. Some have contributed opinion letters to newspapers, been featured speakers with community groups, and a variety of other activities to help promote democracy.

Senate Bill 22 Only a Half Measure to Fix Gerrymandering

On Tuesday, May 22nd the Senate State Government Committee took a small step in the right direction toward fixing our broken redistricting process, but there is much more work to be done. Committee Chairs Mike Folmer, Anthony Williams and their colleagues responded to the outcry of Senator Lisa Boscola, concerned citizens, and reformers to fix the dysfunctional way Pennsylvania handles the drawing of congressional and legislative districts.

Common Cause Pennsylvania Announces Democracy Works Summit 2018 May 21st & 22nd Focusing on Upcoming Census & Fight to End Gerrymandering  

Common Cause Pennsylvania and Executive Director Micah Sims are pleased to announce a two-day DEMOCRACY WORKS SUMMIT in Philadelphia, May 21 – 22, 2018 focusing on the upcoming census and efforts to end “gerrymandering” - the undemocratic practice of drawing legislative districts for political advantage. Panel discussions will feature leaders of national and state advocacy campaigns to reform our broken redistricting system. We will discuss the critical upcoming 2020 census, its administration, outreach and the impact undercounting could have for Pennsylvania and America.

04.22.2018

Meet the Philly-born minister now heading Common Cause Pa.

Micah Sims grew up in West Philadelphia’s Wynnefield neighborhood, attended city public schools, played basketball at William Penn High School, graduated from Villanova (Class of 1991), and earned a master’s degree in divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary. He’s a fifth-generation minister. He’s also the new executive director of Common Cause Pa., based in Harrisburg. He replaced Barry Kauffman as head of the non-partisan, good-government organization. Kauffman held the post for 30 years. Sims, 49, was working in the ministry in Philly in the 1990s when he started to get involved in politics. He helped local candidates with filing petitions, volunteered for Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, and was a statewide faith outreach deputy director for the president’s 2012 reelection campaign. After the 2008 elections, Sims did a Philly radio show for two years, New Day With Micah Sims, on WNWR-AM (1540).

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