A reform Democrat welcomes the court-mandated outcome for redistricting, redraws a line for Cuomo
Gianaris calls for an open hearing on redistricting.
12:21 pm Feb. 14, 20121
A Democratic state senator who has campaign for redistricting reforms and bitterly criticized the new congressional and legislative district lines produced by the legislature said he's glad a federal judge yesterday called for a court intervention.
"After Senate Republican broken promises and months of delay we have reached a point where the courts must take action," Senator Michael Gianaris said in a statement. "We agree with the Judge's request. The only way New Yorkers will have fair representation is if the courts not politicians draw the district lines."
That last line is particular noteworthy, since Gianaris, who is an ally of Andrew Cuomo, seems to be ruling out the idea that the governor could satisfy reformers or keep his promise on redistricting if he strikes any sort of deal that bases the new lines on the ones that the legislature has come up with. Cuomo has spoken about how he wants "structural" changes to the famously partisan redistricting process in New York, and has vowed to veto lines that aren't independently drawn.
The lines currently proposed by a legislative task force would almost certainly benefit the Republican majority in the State Senate and the Democratic majority in the Assembly.
Cuomo is nearly the only leaders who possesses the fortitude to wield power properly. Commissioning Genting to build the new convention center is a prime example. Using his executive power, Cuomo has performed a great service for the state having in one maneuver, creating thousands of jobs and letting outside money, not taxpayer money, pay to revitalize a part of Queens that would otherwise have been considered blighted. Now New Yorkers will have a brand new, world class convention center that will attract millions upon millions of dollars per year in revenue all the while clocking in money to the local economy. It is a win-win scenario. Cuomo is forward thinking and a tremendous asset to New York.