A non-partisan government watchdog group is praising the newly proposed congressional redistricting lines released earlier this week by U.S. Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann. Common Cause New York has been critical of redistricting maps proposed by both the Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans, calling them “hyper-political” and “drawn to protect the fortunes of incumbents.”
The group strikes a more positive tone with the Mann plan, saying it is a fair map that prioritizes community interests and properly reflects the state – keeping regions whole and uniting communities.
Locally, several officials have weighed in on the Man plan and its impact to Chautauqua County. In the proposal, Chautauqua County would be lumped in with the 23rd Congressional district, which runs along much of the Southern Tier of New York all the way to Tioga County and includes 11 counties.
County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Tranum tells WRFA that regardless of what district the county is put in, the chamber’s main concern is proper representation.
“For us, this redistricting is not about political posturing, but about serving the needs of the business community in Chautauqua County,” Tranum says. “The newest New York State Congressional map, proposed by a federal judge, would return Chautauqua County to a Southern Tier district… This would put Chautauqua County back into a district with other, similar parts of the state – in a mainly rural district that also includes other small cities.
“There have also been some benefits to the more recent inclusion of Chautauqua County in Congressman Brian Higgins’ district, with Higgins sitting on the Ways and Means and Transportation Committees. He has also been attentive to the needs of the people of Chautauqua County. We are ready to work with whoever represents our county in Congress to make sure that the interests of Chautauqua County businesses are well-served.”
Chautauqua County current sits in the 27th Congressional District, represented by Congressman Brian Higgins. Under the Mann plan, Higgins’ district would merge with the congressional district of Kathy Hochul, which lies to the east of Erie County.
A panel of judges will hold a hearing on her plan March 15 and vote on whether to adopt the changes.
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