Redistricting

I’ve been redistricted again. I haven’t moved, but New York’s new congressional district boundaries have, and the new lines divide our little town between two districts – neither of them represented by our current member of Congress. And it makes me feel a bit, well, disempowered. It’s as though politicians chose whose constituent I will be, rather than me choosing the politician who will represent me.

New York state leaders swiftly approved a new set of Congressional district maps on Wednesday, rejecting a plan advanced by a bipartisan commission. Voting rights activists and several Republican lawmakers are criticizing the move.

(Airs 03/01/24 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: After a long, drawn-out fight, Governor Hochul approves a new congressional map, we’ll take you to the food justice summit in the Adirondacks, and friends, gay marriage advocates, and the former mayor of New Paltz gather together to remember their act of civil disobedience.

(Airs 02/29/24 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with Susan Lerner, the Executive Director of Common Cause New York, about the newly approved congressional redistricting maps, voting and elections, public campaign financing, money in politics and the importance of media in a democracy.

New York’s bipartisan redistricting commission has approved a new congressional map that makes modest changes to three competitive districts but doesn’t substantially change the rest of the state’s lines.

A public hearing on redistricting was scheduled prior to last Thursday’s Common Council meeting. But no one commented because the proposal to amend the wards had been pulled from the final agenda.

December is usually a quiet time in Albany. The Capitol is buzzing, but most of the activity flies below the public’s radar. Usually, the only visible stirring is around decisions by the governor to veto popular legislation that she doesn’t like. December is a good time to do that since most New Yorkers are focused on the holidays, not the antics at the state Capitol.

(Airs 12/15/23 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: New York’s high court rules that congressional districts in the state can be redrawn again for the 2024 elections, SUNY Nano-Tech is getting a $10 billion dollar boost, and we’ll have part two of our conversation about the rise in hunger in the state.

New York’s highest court has ordered the state to draw new congressional districts ahead of the 2024 elections.

(Airs 12/07/23 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina speaks with Ed Cox, Chairman of the New York state Republican Committee about who Republicans are considering for Congressman Santos’ seat, redistricting, a listener letter on the crime rate, and much more.