Silver: Assembly To Hold Hearings On Reapportionment

Statewide Forums Will Consider Process For Drawing
Congressional, Senate And Assembly Districts Following 2010 Federal Census

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced that the Assembly will initiate a series of statewide hearings to consider the process for drawing congressional, Senate and Assembly districts following the 2010 Federal Census. The hearings, to begin this summer, will be conducted by Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations, and Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, co-chair of the joint legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.

Silver noted that the legislative hearings demonstrate a continued commitment by the Assembly Majority to reforming state government. "The Assembly has a strong track record of working to bring greater openness and greater accountability to New York State. These hearings continue that tradition," he said.

"The Assembly has for years been at the forefront of the fight to bring campaign finance reform, lobbying reform, public authority reform and judicial reform to this state," said Silver. "We have also worked in recent years to bring significant changes to the rules and procedures of the Assembly and called for greater use of open, public conference committees in order to give New Yorkers the productive and responsive government they deserve."

"By conducting these statewide, public hearings in the coming months we will ensure that any changes to our redistricting process are in place in a timely manner," said Destito. "The Governmental Operations Committee has a proud tradition of leading the way on issues of reform within state government. These hearings will continue that tradition and begin the examination on the several proposals that are before us."

"These hearings will provide a critical opportunity to learn more about potential new models," said Espaillat. "It is important work and I am confident that by listening to a range of New Yorkers, including academics and good-government groups, we will be well prepared for the next redistricting process."

According to Silver, the hearings will examine ways to ensure that a fair and efficient process for creating election districts is in place before the next round of reapportionment is conducted following the 2010 federal census. Currently there are several bills pending in the Assembly on the issue, including three (A.624; Brodsky, A.2056; Galef and A.6287a; Gianaris) that would establish a nonpartisan apportionment commission and mechanisms to implement a redistricting plan.

The hearings will consider these bills, as well as other ideas put forward by the public to improve the reapportionment process and how to conform any proposed changes with the federal Voting Rights Act, U.S. Justice Department rulings and other requirements.