ALBANY -- Breslin, “OK, lets go up.”
Today, Senator Neil Breslin paid a visit to the Republicans. The Deputy Democratic leader delivered “buck slips”, which are co-sponsoring documents.
Breslin: “It is the reference we use to something when we’re added on. Pretty simple documents.”
He’s demanding the democrats be able to support Governor Cuomo’s redistricting bill.
Breslin: There you are. When can we hear on those, do you know? Very soon.”
Senate Democrats are outraged over what they see as the Republican Majority efforts to torpedo the bill.
Breslin: “I think it’s clearly an attempt by the Republicans to kind of hide independent redistricting, which is so important in terms of ethics reform”
Also, they feel a new interpretation of the chamber’s rules prevents senators from co-sponsoring the legislation. Republicans say the Dems added the rule when they controlled things.
Reif: “That’s the start and end of it.”
They say according to the rules, the bill was not open to co-sponsorship.
Reif: “You are prohibited from multi sponsoring a bill that has been introduced from the rules committee.”
Dems claim this has been done in the past.
Breslin: “So there is precedent for this.”
Cuomo’s bill calls for an independent commission to redraw boundaries for Congressional and Legislative Districts. The governor hopes to end the longstanding Albany practice of protecting incumbents through creatively drawn districts.
Reif: “We’re focused on the budget. We will turn at the appropriate time to redistricting.”
Breslin: “It’s a fair bill, it’s a thoughtful bill. We should pass it and move on.”
