Area Votes: Senate Approves Congressional Redistricting

Leaving it to the last minute, the state Senate Wednesday approved redistricting legislation for congressional districts by a 26-24 margin. This vote affirms a Republican plan introduced by Majority Leader Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and was approved in a mostly partisan fashion—no Democrats voted for it and only four Republicans dissented.

The bill only needs House approval and Gov. Corbett's signature to officially redraw the congressional districts in time for the 2012 election. An alternate plan offered as an amendment by Democrats was defeated earlier in day.

, this largely keeps the district of Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2) the same. Though he still represents Roxborough, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill, Fattah loses Cheltenham Township and picks up Lower Merion and Narberth.

The House will take up the measure Tuesday, while the Senate is adjourned until Jan. 3, 2012.

• NO: Shirley Kitchen (D-3), Vincent Hughes (D-7)