Proposed redistricting maps for state legislature released

Yeah, ours aren't divided so badly (except for Pembroke being randomly in Corwin's district) and with Ranzenhofer gaining some sensible Monroe County areas, in addition to Riga and Chili he also picks up some territory in the City of Rochester. That being said, the 149th Assembly district where they stretched all the way from North Buffalo to Hamburg to encompass two Assemblyman of different parties in a Democratic majority district to consolidate Boss Shelly Silver's hold on Western New York was ridiculous (and I'm a Democrat) and the new Grisanti district, number 60, where they stretch from the Erie County border in Tonawanda and Grand Island, through North Buffalo and just enough room in the west side/south Buffalo to stretch along the lake and then give him Republican friendly territory in Hamburg, Orchard Park, Evans and Brant was equally absurd. My favorite, however, is the 16th Senate district in Queens, the Pterdactyl district, which is aptly named for it's shape and narrow lines to protect incumbency, it may be the most ridiculous district I have ever seen in my life. If you think today was bad, wait until they release the Congressional districts, that's real stuff will hit the fan.

Here are the districts that I mentioned above, the ones where I wonder how they can sleep at night knowing that they've drawn. I saw them and my head almost exploded. It was an exceptionally blatant thing for them to do, even for them.

SD 16: http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012s/ps16.pdf
SD 60: http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012s/ps60.pdf
AD 149: http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/prop2012s/ps60.pdf

It's why I call the State Legislature 'Havana on the Hudson' because of the majorities on both sides unabashedly obvious attempts, such as this one, to protect themselves over having sensible districts. I do hope that Cuomo will end up vetoing the proposal unless there are some drastic changes made, however, I can almost guarantee that this proposal will end up in the courts because it's so ridiculous and he may not even get the chance.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2012-01-26-812…

the most ridiculous ever is slaughter's ear muff district.

@Dan, SD 16 was drawn to include two current D-State Senators, hardly protecting incumbency. People are calling it the Long Island Expressway Jigsaw Piece, it was drawn to have a 51% Asian majority. I think it looks like a lobster. They also drew in two D-State Senators in northwest Queens.

The Upstate map really isn't that bad in my eyes, but obviously they're out for blood with Grisanti.

Hannah - The Buffalo map is terrible, the drawing of Assemblyman Smardz (R) (I also worked for his opponent in the last election, not a fan) and Assemblyman Ryan (D) in together in a heavily Democratic district, while drawing a very viable Democratic challenger in Buffalo Councilman Joe Golombek outside of the district was the sort of gerrymandering that makes people have no faith in the state legislature. It's redistricting at it's very worst and shows why Boss Shelly Silver and his Albany minions should have no part in this process.

Out for blood with Grisanti? Have you seen that district and how the numbers have broken down in recent elections? Tonawanda re-elected it's GOP County Legislator by a 58-42 margin in the last election and has been friendly to Ranzenhofer, he cleaned house in North Buffalo against Thompson, then they give him a tiny sliver of West and South Buffalo, then a tiny piece of Lackawanna and then into suburban Hamburg, Orchard Park and rural Evans and Brant. He's got the most friendly district imaginable and the Republicans are clearly protecting him instead of having a district that makes sense.

As far as SD 16 and others like it, it's about the Republicans trying to create a permanent majority just like Boss Shelly has for his Democrats in the Assembly. Of course they're drawing Democratic Senators in with each other, just like they're doing to Republicans and drawing out Democrats whom are unfriendly to Shelly in the Assembly

Lets hope this is all vetoed fast enough to get it right before the November elections.

John - I agree and it would cement his status as a reformer, that being said, I have little doubt that it will end up in court.

What's the purpose of the State Senate? It's not by county so, it doesn't really work to help smaller municipal areas not to be overlooked like the federal Senate, right?

Charlie - Upstate representation, without a State Senate downstate would dominate the process because they have more districts, a state senate ensures that there is a body that has the interests of the entire state in mind.

Well they're there anyway. How much they represent anything is another story.

Phil, I'm sure they represent "people". Like Exxon Mobile, GE, Chevron and Goldman Sachs. You know so they can continue to get a free ride and pay no taxes.

Charlie,
Everyone wants freebies.

I know...corporations are people too. Let's sing...