Former Mayor Ed Koch complained that NY State Republicans are dragging their feet on making good on redistricting reform. Yesterday, at a press conference, he pointed out how Republicans promised reform during last year's election but have now reneged, "You know, you either have to honor your pledge or you’re, in my judgment, dishonorable." And one of those "dishonorable" lawmakers is State Senator Majority Leader Dean Skelos.
According to the AP, "The redrawing of election district lines every 10 years has long been used by the majorities in each house to protect their incumbents and power. Good-government groups have long cited redistricting as a central reason for the state Legislature's dysfunction and insulation from voter wrath." Skelos had signed onto Koch's NY Uprising platform, which aims for "Non-Partisan, Independent Redistricting," "Responsible Budgeting," and "Ethics Reforms," but now Skelos is voicing "constitutional" concerns about Governor Cuomo's redistricting bill.
Koch, who is 86 years young, said, "Politics sometimes causes people to give up their decency. It is simply an attempt to derail our entire effort." Still, he's optimistic Skelos will come around, "I’m someone who always believes the prodigal son can be re-embraced. And I’m Jewish."
