NEW YORKERS JOIN SENATOR GIANARIS URGING LEGISLATORS TO KEEP THEIR PROMISE AND REFORM ALBANY

Michael Gianaris

February 27, 2011

Voters overwhelmingly support independent redistricting to put an end to political gerrymandering

54 of 62 current State Senators signed “New York Uprising Heroes of Reform” pledge last November

(Albany, NY) Following through on the promise to reform Albany through independent redistricting, I joined with New Yorkers from across the state to film and release a video calling on all 54 senators to keep their word and put an end to partisan gerrymandering of legislative districts.

New Yorkers want Albany to solve their problems and for once the answer is simple: Keep your Promise – Pass the Pledge. We cannot allow partisan politics to ruin this opportunity for real change. The moment for change has arrived; and now is the time to discover who is a genuine Hero of Reform and who was just spouting empty campaign rhetoric. It's time for pledges made to become promises kept.

For decades, Albany politicians have been allowed to cherry-pick their voters instead of voters choosing their representatives. New York needs independent redistricting now to have fair elections and a more responsive legislature where the public interest comes before political incumbency. To keep the promise made to voters as part of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch’s reform pledge, Senate Democrats are calling for the immediate passage of Governor Cuomo’s independent redistricting legislation.