Government

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

Published

3 months ago

January 28, 2026

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.

Government

Rockland County Urges Water Conservation as Climate Change Impacts Supply

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to learn how climate change is affecting water availability and what steps they can take to protect the county’s supply.

Experts say climate change is increasingly being viewed as a water crisis, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns lead to stronger storms, flooding, and drought. Although water covers much of the planet, less than one percent of freshwater is readily available for human use, making conservation critical.

Rockland County depends entirely on local surface and groundwater sources to serve homes, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities. As the population grows and climate conditions evolve, officials say responsible water use is essential to maintaining a stable supply.

“Protecting our water supply is essential to the long-term health and economic stability of Rockland County,” said Ed Day. “Education and conservation are key tools that help ensure our water resources remain reliable for future generations.”

💧 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Residents can make a meaningful impact with small, everyday actions:

Fix household leaks promptly
Take shorter showers
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
Use water-efficient appliances
Plant native or drought-tolerant landscaping
Water lawns and gardens efficiently

Reducing water use also lowers energy consumption, since energy is required to pump, treat, and heat water—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Officials encourage residents to follow the task force online for updates, resources, and conservation tips. More information is available through the county’s water conservation program.

Government

Rockland County Offers Free Mosquito Dunks and Minnows to Fight Summer Mosquitoes

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is giving residents two free tools to fight mosquitoes:

1. Mosquito Dunks®

Donut-shaped tablets placed in standing water
Kill mosquito larvae before they become biting adults
Safe for use in:
- Unused/covered pools
- Hot tubs
- Other stagnant water containers

2. Fathead minnows

Small fish that eat mosquito larvae (up to ~200 per day each)
Good for:
- Unused pools
- Ornamental ponds
- Water sources with at least 8 inches of water