Connect with us

Government

Albany Democrats Eye Court-Driven Redistricting in New York, Senator Bill Weber Warns

Published

2 weeks ago

on

ROCKLAND COUNTY. NY — New York State Senator Bill Weber is sounding the alarm over what he describes as a growing effort by Albany Democrats to use the courts and mid-cycle redistricting to reverse Republican congressional victories in New York.

According to Weber, the effort is already underway in New York’s 11th Congressional District, represented by Nicole Malliotakis, and could soon expand to target additional Republican-held seats—including New York’s 17th Congressional District, represented by Mike Lawler.

Weber said Democrats believe that redrawing congressional district lines through litigation could flip seats they failed to win at the ballot box, a move he warned would undermine voter confidence and weaken democratic norms.

Allegations of Mid-Cycle Redistricting Strategy

“This is part of a broader strategy to reduce Republican representation in New York through the courts rather than through elections,” Weber said. “Mid-cycle redistricting designed to manipulate district lines diminishes competition and erodes trust in our electoral system.”

The senator emphasized that voters were explicitly promised a fair and independent redistricting process following years of partisan gerrymandering. That promise led to the creation of New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission, which was designed to keep politics out of the map-drawing process.

However, Weber warned that some Albany Democrats are now openly discussing scrapping the independent commission altogether and allowing the legislature—along with partisan judges—to redraw congressional maps when election outcomes do not favor them.

“A Dangerous Precedent,” Weber Says

“We created the Independent Redistricting Commission to prevent exactly this kind of partisan interference,” Weber said. “Maps are meant to be drawn once per decade, following the census—not whenever one party disagrees with election results.”

Allowing courts or lawmakers to repeatedly redraw maps mid-cycle, Weber added, would set a dangerous precedent in which elected officials choose their voters, rather than voters choosing their representatives.

Call for Bipartisan Opposition

Weber urged elected officials of all political affiliations to oppose any attempt to dismantle the independent redistricting process or bypass the once-per-decade standard enshrined in law.

“Some will point to other states and say, ‘They’re doing it, so we should too,’” Weber said. “That is not who we are. New York should be better than that. We must uphold our standards and our process, not sacrifice them for short-term partisan gain. Fair maps and a consistent process protect every New Yorker’s voice.”

As legal and political debates over redistricting continue to unfold, Weber said the focus should remain on protecting voters, preserving competition, and maintaining trust in New York’s elections.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Government

New York State DMV Offices Closed Feb. 13–17 for System Upgrade

Published

3 days ago

on

February 10, 2026

By

NEW YORK — The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will temporarily suspend all in-person and online services due to a scheduled technology system upgrade, officials announced.

The system update will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 13, at which time all DMV offices statewide will close. Offices will remain closed through Tuesday, February 17. During this period, online transactions and phone services will also be unavailable.

All DMV services are expected to fully resume at the start of business on Wednesday, February 18.

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and complete any urgent DMV transactions prior to the closure. Additional information is available on the DMV’s website at dmv.ny.gov.

Continue Reading

Government

Rockland County Issues $42K in Penalties After 51 Violations Found at Spring Valley Property

Published

3 days ago

on

February 10, 2026

By

NEW CITY, N.Y. — The Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes has assessed approximately $42,000 in penalties against property owner Joel Friedman of Spring Valley after inspectors identified 51 building and safety violations at 18 White Street.

The inspection took place on January 22 at the request of the Spring Valley Police Department, following a 911 call related to the death of a child at the residence. The child’s death remains under investigation. County officials said there are no known facts at this time indicating the condition of the structure contributed to the death.

The property is certified as a two-family residence, which is not subject to routine inspections under state law. County officials said inspectors were authorized to enter the property after police reported evidence of an unlawful conversion.

Inspectors found that the garage, basement, and second floor had been illegally converted for residential use, contrary to the building’s Certificate of Occupancy. Uninhabitable areas were found to be occupied, with doors and windows boarded up.

Among the violations cited were:

  • Alterations without permits

  • Unsafe electrical conditions

  • Blocked or obstructed exits

  • Missing or non-functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

  • Presence of combustible materials

  • Unlawful changes to use and occupancy

Officials said additional hazards included unsafe wiring and the use of hot plates and portable heaters.

County officials confirmed that no children were present during the inspection and that this was the first inspection request ever received for the property, with no prior violation history.

The County also addressed social media claims suggesting the property was operating as an unlicensed daycare, stating there was no signage, licensing, or other visible evidence to support that allegation.

“This tragedy underscores the importance of code compliance and community responsibility,” said County Executive Ed Day, urging residents to report unsafe conditions in properties not subject to routine inspections.

Edward Markunas, Director of the Office of Buildings and Codes, said the violations posed “serious life-safety concerns.”

The County confirmed that Child Protective Services is involved and continues to work with law enforcement as appropriate.

Residents can report building and code violations to the Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes at 845-364-3700 or obcmain@co.rockland.ny.us.

Continue Reading

Trending