Judge releases redistricting maps

ALBANY -- A federal magistrate Tuesday issued a draft of new congressional districts that would dramatically impact the Long Island delegation.

The maps drawn by U.S. Magistrate Roanne Mann would become effective only if the State Senate and Assembly fail to act quickly to compromise on a congressional redistricting plan and pass it into law. Officials said they still expect state lawmakers to take action rather than allow the courts to take over the process. New York must shrink its delegation from 29 to 27.

Under Mann's proposal, two incumbent Democrats, Gary Ackerman (D-Roslyn Heights) and Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), would be placed in the same district on the Island, potentially setting up a primary. Ackerman announced that rather than take on Israel, he'd run in a new Queens-based district if the Mann plan becomes law.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) would be spared from a primary, but part of her district would be given to Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans), moving him onto the Island for the first time.

Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) would remain in a South Shore-based district, although portions of his current district would be given to McCarthy. It appears that his residence would not, however, fall into McCarthy's district, although he said he wasn't certain. A clerk in Mann's office refused to provide any clarification of Long Island district boundaries.

In effect, to eliminate two districts, the judge's plan cannibalizes the upstate district of Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Hurley), who is retiring, and Rep. Robert Turner (R-Queens), the delegation's newest member. Turner has been in office just a few months after scoring an upset victory in the race to replace disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner. Turner's district largely would be absorbed by Meeks, setting up a possible contest between the two.

Mann's map appears to keep most districts across New York geographically compact -- unlike the partisan plans submitted to the court last week by Democrats and Republicans. Good-government groups blasted the partisan maps, citing as one egregious example a Democratic proposal to create one district stretching from Binghamton in the Southern Tier to Lake Placid in the heart of the Adirondack Park.

Mann is expected to forward her proposal next week to a three-judge federal panel that could take over redistricting if state lawmakers fail to reach a deal.

Legislators maintain they are making progress and hope to reach a deal by the end of the week. "We continue to believe that a bipartisan solution can be reached," said Scott Reif, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), "and the new congressional lines will ultimately be adopted through the normal legislative process."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) said his preference was for a legislative agreement. "I think what the judge did was give us the impetus or template for an agreement," Silver said.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo didn't directly comment on the maps, saying he hadn't seen them.With Tom Brune