Updated 03/01/2011 08:15 PM
Koch Attacks Republican Lawmakers For Abandoning Redistricting Reform
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Former Mayor Ed Koch took aim Tuesday at New York State Republican lawmakers, accusing them of failing to follow through on a campaign promise.
Koch has been a big proponent of redistricting reform and has been working to get lawmakers to join his "New York Uprising" campaign to revise the current process whereby lawmakers get to draw their own lines.
The former mayor wants the state government to commit to allowing a non-partisan, independent commission to draw the lines.
Koch traveled to Albany to shame lawmakers who he says promised to push this reform while on the campaign trail last year but have failed to act since being elected.
"You know, you either have to honor your pledge or you’re, in my judgment, dishonorable," Koch said.
Every Republican promised redistricting reform last year, but since gaining the majority in the New York State Senate, they appear to have backed away from the issue, with Majority Leader Dean Skelos failing to get behind a redistricting reform bill submitted by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“I like Dean Skelos. I’m very disappointed that he’s withdrawn his commitment,” said Koch. “Most people don’t do that in politics. Your bond is your word.”
“Not since the first President Bush told us to read his lips have we seen a more dramatic turnaround in a campaign promise than what we’ve seen from the Senate Republicans and it happened in a span of less than two months being in the majority,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Democrat from Queens. “It’s a disgrace. Their excuses are just that and nothing more.”
Critics say Republicans are using the senate’s rules of procedure to make sure that Cuomo’s redistricting bill doesn’t go anywhere, introducing it in such a way that it has no sponsors, and blocking Democrats from attaching their name as sponsors.
“This is a continuation into failed policies of a group of individuals who say one thing when they’re not in power, and do another thing when they’re in power," said State Senate Minority Leader John Sampson.
The former mayor is also recording a series of automated phone calls that will be sent out to constituents in the district where he believes the lawmakers have failed to honor their pledge.
Skelos released a statement, saying in part, "Several different redistricting reform bills have been proposed. We are still reviewing constitutional concerns that we have with the bill submitted by the governor. It is our intention to pursue a redistricting reform measure that will meet the New York Uprising pledge."