Redistricting maps released by the state Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) on Thursday, Jan. 26, detail proposed changes to New York State Senate and Assembly districts and have some legislators crying foul.
“I find the Senate maps especially egregious, unfair and unacceptable and I won’t vote for them as they are,” said Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Colonie.
Though Reilly said he’s not opposed to changes to his 109th Assembly district, which see him losing Clifton Park and Halfmoon, retaining Colonie and gaining Niskayuna and parts of Schenectady, he takes issue with overhauls to Senate districts like the 46th, which has been essentially cut in half to create a 63rd district. Though this would give the Capital District another member on the Senate, Democrats are crying foul.
“It’s rigging elections,” said Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany, who now represents the 46th. “I think the new lines which eliminate my district—the towns of Guilderland, New Scotland, Berne-Knox Westerlo, Rensselaerville, Coeymans—I think the removal is illegal and unconstitutional.”
Breslin previously represented all of Albany County, but the proposed redistricting eliminates the towns of Bethlehem, Colonie and the City of Albany and adds portions of Schenectady, Montgomery, Greene and Ulster counties.
“The constitution tries to protect counties and not have them cut up and Albany County has never been represented by other than one senator, and there’s one government here, and the population in Albany is consistent with one senate district,” said Breslin, adding that based on his hometown he would now be representing half of Albany County and half of Rennsselaer County.
Breslin said the district is “probably more of a democratic district,” so he “should be happy,” but he’s not.
“The process is illegal and we should draw districts for the population, not for the elected officials,” said Breslin.
Bill Mahoney, research coordinator for New York Public Interest Research Group, echoed Breslin’s sentiments.
“(The maps) are definitely drawn to protect incumbents rather than represent the people,” said Mahoney. “One of the big things they do is in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, puts many more people in the districts in New York City which is a very Democratic part of the state. In upstate, which has more Republicans … there are fewer people in each district so it creates more districts that swing their way.”
Mahoney said the exact opposite holds true in the Assembly, which is Democrat controlled.
“They build up their strengths downstate more than it should be and make upstate lack the representation it deserves,” said Mahoney.
The proposed redistricting maps can be drawn up every 10 years during a census to accommodate population shifts. The LATFOR consists of six members but the party controlling the Assembly or Senate chamber generally has control of the redistricting for that body. This year’s maps contain what some longtime legislators believe to be the most extreme examples of gerrymandering they’ve ever seen.
“This is my fourth redistricting. … This is the most change that I’ve ever had,” said Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Glenville, who represents the 44th. “I’m going to end up with one of the largest districts in the state.”
Farley is losing Montgomery County, Rotterdam, Duanesburg and Princetown and picking up more of Saratoga County and some of Herkimer and Hamilton counties. He said he’s “familiar” with the new territory and that it’s quite Republican, but it would be sad to say goodbye to some towns he’s represented for 36 years.
“It’s always hard to lose good friends like that,” said Farley.
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, of the 110th Assembly district also saw quite a bit of change to his territory, losing all of Saratoga County.
“This is my fourth redistricting I’ve been through. It’s always a bit disconcerting; there’s a lot of anxiety when you represent a specific district like the City of Niskayuna and build up some great relationships, friendships and constituents,” said Tedisco. “I’ve done that and certainly I’ll miss that if this comes to fruition.”
His proposed new district would suit him just fine, though.
“If I had to move, I can’t think of any greater towns than Providence, Clifton Park and Halfmoon,” said Tedisco. “Wherever I am, I’m going to be a strong, powerful voice to stand up to the special interests that in many instances didn’t have the best interests of constituents at heart.”
Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Wilton, said he was “disappointed” to lose many of the communities he represented in the 43rd but stands behind shifts necessary to create the 63rd Senate seat.
“The newly created upstate district is a great way to ensure that we are not forgotten due to the dominance of New York City. Due to a larger population base residing south of Poughkeepsie, we run the risk of unintentionally being overtaken and forgotten by a larger majority. We can’t have the New York State Legislature simply be a variation of the New York City Council,” said McDonald.
The changes put forth by the LATFOR may end up being little more than a starting point, however. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has threatened to veto the plans, saying they are partisan, which would send the process into the courts.
