News stories tagged with "redistricting"

(03/12/12) Legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo are working on a constitutional amendment to reform redistricting in New York. But critics say in its present form, the proposal won't accomplish its goal. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has this report: more

(03/09/12) It's coming down to the wire on redistricting in New York. A federal court has already usurped a gridlocked state legislature and drawn new congressional lines. Now it's on track to redraw state legislative lines, too, if the Assembly and Senate do not agree on a bill by March 15th. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/07/12) The Adirondack North Country may be unified into one congressional district this year.

A federal judge has issued a map that would consolidate the region into a new 21st District.

The old NY-23 district, now represented by Democrat Bill Owens from Plattsburgh would be dramatically redrawn. Martha Foley has more. more

(02/29/12) A federal court is taking over the drawing of new congressional district maps in New York, after lawmakers failed to meet their own self-imposed deadline to draw new lines.

Lawmakers have already released new maps for Senate and Assembly lines. Now, a coalition that includes former State Attorney General Robert Abrams is urging Governor Cuomo to use a veto threat as leverage to win changes for next time. Karen DeWitt reports. more

(02/16/12) A St. Lawrence County official says a redistricting plan proposed by the state legislature would give his county much less political say, by dividing it among four different state Assembly members and three senators. The county is currently represented by two of each.

The plan has drawn fire from good government groups who say the new political maps are unfair and biased, and from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has threatened to veto them.

St. Lawrence County Planning Director Keith Zimmerman and other county officials testified Tuesday at a hearing of the "LATFOR" redistricting commission in Syracuse.

Zimmerman told the commission the plan would make it hard for lawmakers to effectively represent the county.

Nora Flaherty spoke with Zimmerman Wednesday.

(02/16/12) The legislature's newly drawn state Senate and Assembly lines, as well as new congressional lines, may be headed toward a special master appointed by a federal court. As Karen DeWitt reports, there's a pattern here. more

(01/31/12) The Legislative task force on redistricting held its first meeting Monday since new proposed maps were released. Lawmakers heard numerous accusations that the new lines were "gerrymandered." And as Karen DeWitt reports, they say the proposed maps are not set in stone. more

(01/27/12) The legislative task force charged with drawing new political maps for New York state released its plans for the state Senate and Assembly yesterday.

The new district lines, if approved by lawmakers and Governor Cuomo, would bring major changes for the North Country, with Hamilton County and St. Lawrence County experiencing the biggest shift.

In the future, St. Lawrence County would be represented by four different members of the Assembly.

It could also mean a new political dynamic in the Adirondack Park. Brian Mann joined Martha Foley to talk about the details. more

(01/19/12) The dates for primary elections in 2012 remain up in the air, with Democrats wanting a June date and Republicans preferring August, as they await a federal court ruling. Meanwhile, Senate Leader Dean Skelos dropped another hint about new district maps that state lawmakers will soon release. He says the newly created 63rd district will not be in his home region of Long Island. more

(01/11/12) Things got a little heated yesterday at a meeting of a legislative task force on redrawing new district lines--The Senate Democrat's representative complained he'd been left in the dark about the creation of 63rd Senate district by Republicans.

Senator Martin Dilan condemned parts of the process so far as a "farce" and "waste of money." In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details. more