Dennis Gabryszak The process to redraw the lines of the New York State Legislature may have begun, but it is certainly far from over.

(See editorial on page four)

With last week’s release of proposed district maps drawn up by majority members in the Senate and Assembly, the first step has been taken. But, naturally, there is already strong opposition to the maps, and it is expected this issue won’t be resolved until it reaches federal court.

Immediately after the maps were released, politicians across the state lambasted them as a political ploy to keep incumbents in office.

“I thought this was an absolute slap in the face to democracy,” said Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Cheektowaga, after seeing the plan devised by Senate Republicans that would add a 63rd seat. “This was a Republican scheme to protect their own political interests, maintain their grasp on power and protect their incumbents. This is gerrymandering at its worst.”

Tim Kennedy The proposed plan would see Kennedy’s 58th District narrowed geographically into the new 63rd District. He would lose the towns of West Seneca, Hamburg and Eden and part of the City of Lackawanna. In return he would gain most of the City of Buffalo. He would continue to represent the Town of Cheektowaga.

“The redistricting system is flawed,” Kennedy said. “I’m thrilled to be hanging onto Cheektowaga, but I’m losing towns like West Seneca. I’m looking to be a strong voice for whichever towns, cities and villages I represent. I’m excited to represent a new area, but I’m disappointed I’m losing others.”

Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak, D-Cheektowaga, escaped the politically charged fracas, as his 143rd District remains unchanged in the new plan. He would maintain his simple and straightforward district that covers the towns of Cheektowaga and Lancaster.

“From the very beginning, people have told me my district is the ideal of what a district should be,” Gabryszak said. “It doesn’t divide towns, and the numbers are right where they should be. I think some of the redrawn districts make sense. Some make you scratch your head and wonder where they came from.”

The district lines are redrawn every 10 years following the release of the census. The new districts are supposed to represent shifts in populations and demographics.

With the new maps, the call to establish an independent committee to redraw the lines rather than the sitting senators and assemblymen is getting louder.

Kennedy, who ran on the anti incumbent surge in 2010 to win his seat, has clamored for independent redistricting since taking office. Last year, he fully supported Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Redistricting Reform Act of 2011, which called for an independent redistricting commission to permanently reform how congressional and state legislative districts are drawn in New York State.

Kennedy also charged that politicians use redistricting power to stay in office, overlooking what is best for the people in the state.

“Things need to change,” Kennedy said. “This is why, for two years, I’ve been calling for independent redistricting. We need to take the pens out of the hands of the incumbents and give them to an independent board.”

According to several media outlets, Cuomo said he would veto this proposal, following up on his promise to veto any redistricting plan that he believes is gerrymandered.

Both Kennedy and Gabryszak said they expect lawsuits to be filed about the proposed maps and that the redistricting issue will end up sooner or later in federal court.

“If it goes to court, it will be for good reason,” Kennedy said.

“I expect it more than not,” Gabryszak said. “I imagine someone is going to challenge it legally in court.”

A series of public hearings have been scheduled on the redistricting process. The only local one will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Common Council Chambers at Buffalo City Hall, 65 Niagara St., Buffalo.

email: mkrueger@beenews.com