Sloatsburg — The New York Legislature’s redistricting plans were made public Thursday amid much controversy, with big winners and sure losers. Sloatsburg and the Town of Ramapo will continue to be represented by Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, R-Greenwood Lakes and Senator David Carlucci, D-Clarkstown. There are no changes for Rep. Elliot Engel, D-NY 17, congressman for the Town of Ramapo and Orangetown in Rockland County.
Sen. Carlucci, however, is due for a big haircut. The proposed redistricting plan will split Rockland County into two districts for the first time in 20 years. Currently, Sen. Carlucci represents all of Rockland County, with his district stretching into areas of Orange County that include Tuxedo, Greenwood Lake and Warwick. The new legislative plan out of Albany snatches Stony Point and Haverstraw away from Carlucci, a Rockland native. District 38 will lose the northern half of Rockland to District 39’s Sen. William Larkin, R-New Windsor. Carlucci would get Ossining in Westchester County but with the loss of northern Rockland and parts of Orange County, the senator essentially loses half his district geographically. Tuxedo and Warwick are slated to go to Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope. Sen. Carlucci currently serves approximately 320,000 people. The new plan would reduce that to 295,000, a nearly 10% loss.
The new plan also moves Assemblywoman Rabbitt from District 97 to 98. Her new district will lose Goshen, Hamptonburgh, Walkill and Mount Hope, but runs cleanly along the souther border of Rockland and Orange Counties. District 98 picks up Minisink, Greenville and Deer Park, with Port Jervis thrown in.
Rockland County Democratic Chair Kristen Stavisky was fierce in her opposition to the new plan, calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to veto the propsal. “It’s clear to anyone, not just followers of politics, that these districts weren’t drawn with the best interests of the people in mind,” said Stavisky. “Albany Insiders, like Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, have made clear redistricting is about protecting incumbents more than reflecting communities. Why else would Rockland County, after more than 20 years as single district, be split in two?”
Proposed redistricting for Sen. District 38:
Proposed Redistricting for Assembly District 97 (98):
Sources include: Lohud and Sen. Carlucci‘s site for photo credit. Additionally, visit here to get detailed map information with census data for the NY Legislature 2012 redistricting proposal.
