NYS redistricting to get public input

ALBANY -- The traditionally secretive process the Assembly and Senate majorities use to redraw election districts appears to be getting some public disclosure now that a key assemblyman and the Senate majority are open to considering redistricting proposals from a good-government group.

In addition to considering the proposals by Common Cause-NY yesterday, Assemb. John McEneny said there will be public hearings in January.

"We will take a look at them," the Albany Democrat, who leads redistricting for the Assembly's Democratic majority, said of the Common Cause proposals.

The Senate's Republican majority said yesterday that it, too, is considering testimony from Common Cause and other good-government groups.

The developments come as a poll shows New Yorkers increasingly want an independent board -- not lawmakers -- to draw the lines.