From the NY Times:
A federal judge on Tuesday named a panel to consider whether to take New York State’s redistricting process out of the hands of lawmakers and appoint a special master to remake the state’s political map.
The action by Dennis G. Jacobs, the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, is the latest twist in the slowly evolving effort by New York to redraw its Assembly, Senate and Congressional districts, as required by law, to reflect population shifts identified by the 2010 Census.
The Legislature has proposed new maps for the Assembly and Senate districts, but those maps have been widely criticized by government watchdog groups, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has vowed to veto them. The Legislature has not yet proposed new maps of Congressional districts, even though another federal judge has ordered the state to hold a Congressional primary in late June.
Judge Jacobs on Tuesday issued a one-sentence order appointing the three-judge panel in response to a request lodged the day before by a Brooklyn-based Federal District Court judge, Dora L. Irizarry. Judge Irizarry is overseeing a lawsuit filed by civic leaders seeking court intervention.
Mr. Cuomo, addressing the redistricting issue at a news conference on Tuesday, had long predicted that the courts would get involved. “This is not the first time we’ve been to this dance,” he said.
7 comments:
Could the panel also consider imposing term limits and campaign finance reforms? May we dream that it can?
I'd rather have a court draw non-political lines. That would only be a start in cleaning up Albany.
Great job Warren this is what people need to do, fight for what is right.
But can we fully trust an "impartial" judicial panel?
Politics is politics!
Could not one or two politically connected judges also throw a monkey wrench into the works?
Being a cynic when it comes to political matters--please be patient with my doubting nature.
Yet, in the end--my over riding opinion is that I have much more faith in the courts to decide what's fair--than in a pol's desire to keep his job.
In the meantime, let the various civic associations keep their sharp eyes on the governor and the courts.
I also think that term limits down the line for all pols is long overdue!
MYTH
In the meantime, let the various civic associations keep their sharp eyes on the governor and the courts.
Reality
The same civics that stood idly by each cycle as districts are drawn up to suit the pols and not the public?
MYTH
I'd rather have a court draw non-political lines. That would only be a start in cleaning up Albany.
Reality
The same judges that are nominated by the machine?
would it be federal judges or nys judges that do the drawing of new districts ?
many of the judges are machine hacks.
"Spy" in my eye!
This disgruntled flatulent malcontent seems to be always emptying his bowels into the wind.
Could the big wind be originating somewhere in Astoria?
Do you suffer from chronic GAS or is it GAHS pain?
I suggest trying some "Gas-ex" or "Ex-Lax" to relieve your condition .
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