Skelos: Redistricting not that simple

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos pledged his support to former New York City Mayor Ed Koch last year for nonpartisan redistricting, but at a Crain's business breakfast Thursday in Manhattan, Skelos said it might not be possible under the state constitution. A redistricting commission's findings would have to be voted on by the Legislature and signed by the governor, a partisan process, he said. He suggested passing a constitutional amendment, a lengthy affair that allows the GOP to redraw Senate districts this year. Asked why he couldn't tell Republicans to vote for commission findings this year, Skelos said to scattered chuckles: "My style is . . . I may make suggestions, but I don't tell them how to vote." - Michael Amon