Gov. Cuomo says ‘wait and see’ to redistricting plan | News

ALBANY - Governor Cuomo is taking a "wait and see" attitude as the State legislature finally unveils its controversial redistricting plan for the next 10 years but good government groups say it's business as usual at the Capitol.

By law, the legislature must redraw its lines every 10 years to conform with the census numbers, assuring that no district is more, or less, than three percent from the average. Sounds pretty simple, but it is hugely controversial.

The governor, all along has been threatening to veto the plan, unless it was done by an independent body, but lawmakers pretty much ignored that threat.

“I really don’t think you can plot it out now. So, my position is going to be wait and see,” said Cuomo.

Each of the two houses drew its own map to help incumbents remain incumbents, Senate Republicans adding a 63rd seat south and west of the Capital District that helps the GOP retain control in that house, good government types are crying "foul.”

Under the scheme Assemblyman Bob Reilly's district loses Southern Saratoga County but gains Schenectady and Niskayuna.

Meanwhile, Republican Jim Tedisco picks up a lot of what Reilly lost, moving northward into Southern Saratoga County.

Democrat Jack McEneny loses the Albany County hilltowns, but gains Bethlehem. McEneny was a member of the redistricting committee.

“The people that come in and complain about a district, we will challenge them to say how to we fix it,” said McEneny.

There was angry reaction Thursday night from former New York Mayor Ed Koch, who got virtually all of the lawmakers to pledge when they were running for office that they would allow an independent group to do the redistricting.

Obviously, a great many of them are simply ignoring that now. Koch called them dishonorable, saying "today, victory lies with the enemies of reform."