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The focus of Monday's hearing were controversial new State Senate maps. Drawn by the Republican majority, they place six Democrats in Brooklyn and Queens into districts where they would to face primary challenges from fellow Democrats.

Critics say the process was completely co-opted by partisan politics, and they point to oddly-shaped district lines as evidence of gerrymandering.

"We're not interested in shapes. We are interested in communities of interest, in data, and in ensuring that those communities of interest are protected. Make sure that the districts fully comply with the Voting Rights Act," said State Senator Michael Nozzolio, a Republican from Geneva.

The hearing allowed time for testimony from the public, although the two parties did take up some of that time arguing among themselves.

Democrats said a threatened veto by Governor Andrew Cuomo has delegitimized the proposed maps and the work of the committee, known as LATFOR.

"The LATFOR process is DOA. The governor has made it clear he will not support their product," said State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Democrat from Queens. "And our best hope now is to go to the courts and standing strong with the governor in support of his veto."

Last week, a federal judge ordered a new primary date of June 26 that would apply only to congressional and U.S. Senate races.

But Congressional district lines still need to be drawn and now on a much quicker timetable.

"We're very concerned that the public may not have an opportunity to comment on the proposed congressional lines," said Susan Lerner of Common Cause.

Democrats have questioned Republicans' plan to add a 63rd State Senate seat, when New York is losing two congressional seats.

Republicans pointed out on Monday that the state's population actually grew by a half-million people over the last decade, but not as fast a rate as other states.