LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AND REAPPORTIONMENT
250 Broadway - 21st Floor
New York, New York 10007-2563
(212) 618-1100
FAX (212) 618-1135

FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, February 22, 2002
www.latfor.state.ny.us
www.senate.state.ny.us
www.assembly.state.ny.us

The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment today announced a hearing schedule on proposed Senate and Assembly district lines.

Task Force co-chairs Senator Dean Skelos and Assemblyman William Parment will conduct the seven statewide hearings to allow the public to comment on the redistricting plans.

Proposed maps can be viewed at http://www.latfor.state.ny.us. The hearings will impact final decisions on how citizens and communities will be represented at the state level of government for the next 10 years.

The draft plan, released last week, came after analysis of the Census 2000 data and an initial round of public hearings. The redrawing of political lines for the state Senate and Assembly and congressional districts ensures equal representation based on changes in state population.

NOTE: The Task Force hearing notice is attached.

New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment

Notice of Public Hearing

SUBJECT: State Legislative Redistricting

PURPOSE: To gather public input regarding state legislative redistricting.

The Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment is holding hearings on proposed state Senate and Assembly districts. The Task Force invites public comment on the districts proposed by the Co-Chairs of the Task Force. The Co-Chairs' proposal can be viewed at the Task Force website: www.latfor.state.ny.us. The proposal provides for 150 Assembly districts and 62 Senate districts.

The proposal was developed to comply with the "one person, one vote" provisions of the United States Constitution along with the 15th Amendment requirements as reflected in the Voting Rights Act. The State Constitutional requirements of the "town rule," "block on border rule," and "town on border rule" were also followed.

Those wishing to testify are asked to provide 10 written copies of their testimony to the Task Force at the hearing. If anyone wishes to submit testimony without appearing at a hearing, they can send their written comments directly to the Task Force. The hearing will conclude when all witnesses present have been heard.

Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Task Force will attempt to honor individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. Please inform the Task Force as early as possible.

Please contact the Task Force to indicate your interest in testifying at the hearing at least one day in advance of the hearing. The Task Force is located in: Suite 2100, 250 Broadway, New York, New York 10007. The telephone number is: (212) 618-1100.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform any interested parties and organizations of the Task Force hearings.

The Task Force in accordance with its policies of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Task Force facilities and activities.