NYS Redistricting Sparks Arguments

Submitted by rkoreto on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 14:30

The NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment—better known as LATFOR—has issued proposed maps for the New York Senate and Assembly, as required by law following the 2010 Census. But it's not end of the process—in fact, it's just the beginning.

 
The key arguments center on how the new districts will be reapportioned to jibe with population changes. The New York Times commented on charges of gerrymandering, and Governor Cuomo's spokesman, Josh Vlasto, was widely reported as saying that “these lines are simply unacceptable and would be vetoed by the governor. We need a better process and product.” The Times noted that the governor has said in the past that he would veto LATFOR's results.
 
By law, the governor and state legislature must approved the redistricting, which also must be in line with the Voting Rights Act.
 
As the Times continued, "As in past decades, the proposed lines were drawn by Albany’s majority parties: the Republicans in the State Senate, who proposed increasing the size of that body from 62 to 63 seats, and the Democrats in the State Assembly."
 
As an example of the kinds of accusations that are flying around in Albany, according to the City & State blog, these redistricting maps "protect Senate Republicans’ stronghold in Long Island by breaking up Hispanic neighborhoods in Suffolk County and African-American ones in Nassau."
 
LATFOR has been holding hearings around the state and making videos of proceedings available online.
 
LATFOR consists of four legislators and two non-legislators, according to its website. The Temporary President of the Senate appoints one legislator, Michael F. Nozzolio (Co-Chair), and one non-legislator, Welquis R. Lopez. The Speaker of the Assembly also appoints one legislator, Assemblyman John J. McEneny (Co-Chair), and one non-legislator, Roman Hedges. The Minority Leaders of the Assembly and the Senate each appoint one legislator: Assemblyman Robert Oaks and Senator Martin Malavé Dilan.
 
 

 

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