Lawmakers Already Drawing Up Special Session Wish Lists

The Capitol wrote about the pressing issue of independent restricting being on Governnor Cuomo's agenda for the potential Legislature in Albany that will meet to discuss the state budget. Passing independent redistricting is at the top of the list of things we need to take care of.

If Gov. Andrew Cuomo calls the Legislature back to Albany this year to deal with a $350 million budget shortfall, lawmakers say he could also open the door to debating a host of simmering issues – including independent redistricting.

The next legislative session begins in less than two months, but Cuomo told radio host Susan Arbetter yesterday that the budget gap could force his hand: “If this trend continues, we may have to bring back the Legislature.”

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Democratic Sen. Michael Gianaris said he is still holding out hope for an independent redistricting plan, even as his colleagues said such a plan seems like “wishful thinking” at this point.

“The [Senate Republican] majority is intent on moving ahead without agreeing to a commission that the governor wants,” Gianaris said. “He’s agreed to veto anything they do, so we’re rolling off a cliff on redistricting. Something’s got to happen at some point. I think that’s at the top of the list of things we need to take care of.”

 Read the full article here.