Have you ever done something for 25 straight years and still not been able to do it correctly? State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre County, has.

As Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2020, 25-year legislator Benninghoff had the responsibility to lead the effort in redistricting so that we finally would have fairer and ungerrymandered state House and Senate districts.

A commission of two Democrats and two Republicans, including Benninghoff, was formed to do the job. The fact that they had to interview 30 people before they could finally agree on a fifth panelist for the commission was an early tipoff that things wouldn’t go well.

Then, after the commission produced a map they voted on, that by most accounts produced fairer districts, Benninghoff immediately challenged his own commission’s work.

What else would you expect from someone who constantly tells you how bad government is? With Benninghoff, it’s always the other party, the other elected officials, another part of the government, always someone else’s fault.

No, it’s Benninghoff’s fault we have gerrymandered districts that the governor vetoes. Thanks to Benninghoff: Here come the courts.

Like a Bob Dylan lyric — how many decades must a representative serve before he knows how to redistrict? — this is an all-too-familiar show. Benninghoff only knew for 10 years we would need to redistrict the seats. Now the primary may be postponed due to his incompetence.

He still collects his salary and benefits? As a taxpayer, I want my money back.

Margie Swoboda

Julian

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