Ed Koch is mailing letters today to Albany lawmakers who signed on to his New York Uprising pledge to support non-partisan redistricting but are now reneging on their word.
The timing, Koch says, is because some lawmakers said that they wanted to wait until after the budget to take up the issue. Now, with the budget safely passed, he says that it is well past time.
The major resistance to the Koch pledge is coming from Dean Skelos, who has said that it will unfairly favor Democrats.
Full Koch letters–both to those who have lived up to the pledge and those who have not–below:
Dear Senator,
You pledged, but have not yet committed to support nonpartisan, independent redistricting for the 2012 elections, by signing on as a co-sponsor of S2543 (Gianaris) or S660 (Valesky).
On March 1, in Albany, I began announcing the names of those who had honored their redistricting pledge by doing so. Now, after this Friday, April 8, I will announce the names of those who have failed to honor their pledge, and declare them “Enemies of Reform”.
Regrettably, you would be on that list, included as such on our website, and when we place robo-calls after the deadline, your district would be included.
If you intend to honor your pledge – and avoid having your name on that list – please add your name as a co-sponsor to one or both of these bills (S2543 and S660) by this Friday, April 8, to avoid any confusion on the part of your constituents as to your commitment to keep your election-year promise for reform.
The budget has been passed, and we believe the priority at this time is redistricting reform. My hope is that with your help, we will successfully create a more functional government for you to work in and serve the communities you represent.
All the best.
Sincerely,
Ed Koch
* * *
Dear Assemblymember,
Thank you for following up on your campaign pledge and committing to support nonpartisan, independent redistricting for the 2012 elections, by signing on as a co-sponsor of A5388 (Silver).
On March 1, in Albany, I began announcing the names of those who had honored their redistricting pledge by doing so, and today I wrote to all those who still have not, informing them that I will begin announcing the names of those who have reneged, and declare them “Enemies of Reform”.
Please be assured that, since you are already a co-sponsor of A5388, you will not be among those included.
The budget has been passed, and we believe the priority at this time is redistricting reform. My hope is that with your continued help, we will successfully create a more functional government for you to work in and serve the communities you represent.
All the best.
Sincerely,
Ed Koch
