Pennsylvania population lag costs state a US House seat, electoral vote
HARRISBURG, Pa. - For Pennsylvania, the official word that its population growth continues to lag behind the nation’s marks the 10th consecutive decade the Keystone State has lost clout in Congress and presidential contests.
The state has become one of the most important presidential battlegrounds but will have one fewer electoral vote to offer candidates in the next election — from 20 to 19 — and it will have one less representative in the U.S. House.
The U.S. Census confirmed Pennsylvania's loss of a seat Monday, but had yet to release figures on how Pennsylvania's population changed from 2010 to last year.
"We are growing as a state, but the challenge is states like Florida, Texas and Arizona are growing at a greater rate," explained Congressman Brendan Boyle.
Boyle’s district covers northeast Philadelphia. He says the latest census count means Pennsylvania will go from 18 in the House of Representatives to 17.
The once a decade population count could have an impact on where federal money goes. But, Boyle says not all the time.
"It won’t harm us too much when it comes to federal funding because that’s really based on a different metric. It’s based on our overall population, which does continue to grow," stated Congressman Boyle.
The lagging population growth relative to other states also could mean the state will see a reduced share of federal money for Medicaid, social programs and infrastructure.
"We’re losing our juice. We’re losing our political power," political analyst Bruce Gordon commented.
That's particularly bad news for the state's growing transportation needs amid a deepening stalemate over financing its highways and public transit.
Gordon said the new federal maps will get redrawn on the state level in Harrisburg, which, some believe, sets up a summer showdown before the 2022 midterm elections.
"Expect a battle royale over how this state gets redrawn so that Democrats and Republicans lose as little as they possibly can, but it’s going to be nasty come late summer, early fall," Gordon explained.
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