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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Delay Release of New Congressional Borders

State and congressional lawmakers were supposed to offer the public its first glimpse at new boundaries for the commonwealth's congressional districts, but it's going to take them a little longer to strike a deal.

The meeting was cancelled less than two hours before its scheduled time.

Discussions over redistricting are ongoing, according to the state Senate GOP spokesman, who said that his caucus is "optimistic" that the proposed maps will be unveiled on Tuesday.

Terry Madonna, a political science professor at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster County, said that it's not good news that the unveiling of the maps has been delayed for a third time.

"That translates into indecision on the part of legislative leaders, and resulting in the fact that if you want to run for Congress and you're not quite sure what district you'll be in," said Madonna. "That makes that very hard to do."

Congressional redistricting is handled like any piece of legislation. The bill would have to be passed before late January, when congressional hopefuls can start passing around petitions for their nomination.

Madonna said that in the past, that period has been pushed back to allow more time for redistricting talks.