News stories tagged with "redistricting"

(04/05/12) A new poll finds that while New Yorkers still think very highly of Governor Cuomo, they are not as happy with recent developments in Albany that include a secretive, middle of the night legislative session, and legislative district lines some are calling "gerrymandered." In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/23/12) The election season is upon us, but the races and the districts across the North Country are still in flux. Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman has dropped out of the race for the State Assembly seated of the retiring Teresa Sayward. So has Democrat Randy Douglas. New district lines complicate the picture in both the NY legislature and for US Congress. Martha Foley talks with Brian Mann about the shifting political scene.

(03/20/12) Congressman Chris Gibson issued a statement last night acknowledging that he will no longer represent counties in the North Country, based on a federal redistricting plan finalized yesterday.

Gibson, a Republican from Kinderhook, says he will seek re-election in the newly-formed 19th congressional district, which doesn't include Essex, Warren, or Washington counties.

"I am saddened that many areas of the historic 20th district have been placed in two other districts," Gibson said. He also promised that his office would continue to provide constituent services to North Country communities until the new district boundaries take effect in 2013.

(03/19/12) Congressman Chris Gibson says he loves representing the North Country, and he hopes redistricting lets him continue serving people in places like Warren, Washington and Essex counties.

But Gibson also knows the final decision is out of his hands. New York's 20th Congressional District, which he represents now, could look very different when redistricting finally wraps up.

Gibson sat down with Chris Morris recently and spoke for more than an hour about topics ranging from the chaos in Syria to the field of Republican presidential candidates, and of course, redistricting. more

(03/19/12) St. Lawrence County leaders are furious about New York's newly approved Assembly and Senate legislative district lines. The county has been split into four assembly districts, and three senate seats. Some say they were the big losers in Albany's backroom politics. more

(03/16/12) Seven casinos, a cut in one of the biggest government costs facing taxpayers, more convictions of career criminals and a far more promising outlook for Republicans are results of the wheeling and dealing that ended early yesterday morning in Albany. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is declaring victory.

His Republican allies in the Senate, who faced oblivion just two years ago, scored major wins to give the party a powerful, longer life in the increasingly blue state.

The all-night session of the legislature left bitter feelings between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, after Democrats stormed out in protest over the middle of the night redistricting vote. Martha Foley has more. more

(03/15/12) The New York Senate and Assembly approved new electoral district lines, as Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders announced agreement on a number of other unrelated issues yesterday. Advocates immediately called the deal on the new lines an assault on voter rights.

The redistricting announcement last night came as backroom talks yielded agreements on expansion of the state's DNA data base, pension reform, and an amendment to allow more gambling in New York. Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/14/12) The legislature is poised to pass a redistricting package that includes a constitutional amendment to change the process in the future. But Governor Cuomo says the current proposal is still not good enough. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/13/12) Government reform groups are badly fractured over a proposed constitutional amendment poised for passage in the legislature to change the state's redistricting process. Some say it's the best deal that can be obtained and will represent some reform. Others say it's an unacceptable step backwards. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/12/12) Legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo are crafting a constitutional amendment to create a bipartisan panel to draw new legislative and congressional district lines after the next census in 2020. But critics say in its present form, the proposal won't accomplish its goal. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more