Skip Navigation

Pennsylvania to lose a congressional seat after census shows population lag

Also on the program: The rise in vaping among young people & Pennsylvania reopening historic sites and museums

William Marx points out one of the districts that crossed four counties as an image of the old congressional districts of Pennsylvania are projected on a wall in the classroom where he teaches civics in Pittsburgh on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. Marx was a plaintiff in the Pennsylvania lawsuit that successfully challenged the Republican-drawn congressional maps. Marx said he believes the new district boundaries resulted in

 Keith Srakocic / AP Photo

William Marx points out one of the districts that crossed four counties as an image of the old congressional districts of Pennsylvania are projected on a wall in the classroom where he teaches civics in Pittsburgh on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. Marx was a plaintiff in the Pennsylvania lawsuit that successfully challenged the Republican-drawn congressional maps. Marx said he believes the new district boundaries resulted in "a more fair congressional representation of the will of the people in Pennsylvania."

Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”

Airdate: Monday, May 3, 2021

Pennsylvania will have one fewer electoral vote to offer presidential candidates in the next election. Census counts have consequences and the most recent count showed that the state’s population growth is not keeping track with other states.

While Pennsylvania is still the fifth most populous, other states grew faster and matched the U.S. growth of 7.4%. Pennsylvania is far behind at 3.4% growth.

The lagging population growth also means one less congressional seat, and will likely result in a reduction in federal dollars for programs like Medicaid and infrastructure.

Terry Madonna, Ph.D., is a Senior Fellow in Residence with Millersville University and will join us to analyze the implications.

The rise in vaping among young people

High school students are still vaping at an alarming rate. One in four Pennsylvania students report vaping in the past month.

While many kids believe that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, health experts warn they are more addictive by delivering higher concentrations of nicotine.

Appearing on Smart Talk Monday to draw attention to the problem are Dr. Christopher Russo, MD, Director of Pediatrics, Women & Children Services, Medical Director for Quality and Innovation, WellSpan Health, along with Brandy Shealer, School Social Worker, Red Lion Area Senior High School and Nikki Maurer, Executive Director, Community Health Council of Lebanon County.

For more on public health issues plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare–check out WITF’s Transforming Health. Online at TransformingHealth.org, a partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross.

Pennsylvania reopening historic sites and museums

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission facilities are open for business again.

Beginning Friday, April 30, visitors are now able to visit Pennsylvania ‘s state-owned historic sites and museums.

Andrea Lowery, Executive Director, The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission appears on Smart Talk to discuss what visitors may find with the reopening.

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Up Next
Smart Talk

Research finds that autism develops differently in girls than boys