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New Pa. Legislative District Map Approved

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - For the second time in six months, the panel that redraws state House and Senate districts has given final approval to a new map.

The first plan approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission was tossed out by the state Supreme Court, which has decreed that this year's elections for Pennsylvania House and Senate seats be held using the district lines that have been used for the past decade. Once again, the Senate Democratic Leader, Jay Costa, complained that too many counties were divided on the Senate map.

"Multiple splits were added in counties for pure partisan advantage."

But, Chester Republican Dominic Pileggi, the Senate majority leader, says there was an effort to accommodate Democrats.

"There was discussion. Unfortunately, we could not come to agreement. We did agree on a number of changes."

The question now is whether this plan, which would take effect for the 2014 elections, will withstand a likely court challenge.

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