New Map For NY

The New York Court of Appeals overturned an apportionment map for purposes of the state's House of Representatives delegation. The ruling was 4-3 with Gov. Hochul's appointment in the minority.  

Many liberals (though not liberal law professor Steve "Shadow Docket" Vladeck) were upset. They felt the map was a justified answer to other Republican gerrymanders. Few refuted the ruling on the law. 

We then had a special master of sorts drawing a new map, which favored the Republicans in various ways. The whole thing was last minute and rushed. The result for me personally was that I lost AOC (by less than a block). My new member is okay but is too pro-Israel and has done a few jerk things. I think it's a downgrade.  

I thought the original ruling on the merits probably was defensible (it was an invalid partisan gerrymander under state law) but the process afterward was problematic. Various parties, including the state legislature (at different points in the process), had a role in the whole thing. 

A few people blame the close 2022 takeover on the new map. I really doubt it. The midterms were going to be hardest in suburban swing districts in a state like New York, which didn't have abortion as a major concern. It would have been like filling an inside straight to pick up all the necessary seats.  The new map affecting 1-3 races seems more likely.  

Anyway, the court of appeals changed after the retirement of a conservative Chief Judge. After a moderate with some conservative leanings was rejected by the state senate, a liberal on the bench replaced her. Another reasonable option was chosen to fill the vacancy. 

She did not take part in the new challenge of the map. But, the result was a switch. A 4-3 ruling meant a new map. The legislature didn't like this one either. But, this time, they just tweaked it as compared to the much more blatant partisan gerrymander last time. Republicans do not plan to challenge it. The House Minority Leader (Jeffries) endorsed it.

Some critics are already saying the Democrats blew it. Who knows. I figure Democrats in the legislature are not idiots about these things. The old map was already overturned. Yes, we have a new court, but who knows if the result would be different if they blatantly did it again.

The new map might help one or more Democrats along the edges. Likewise, the 2024 elections should overall be better for the Democrats. They should not need a gerrymandered map to win it. Knock on wood.

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I recently read a comment endorsing the book version of the classic Henry Fonda film, Mister Roberts. I reserved it but received the play.

The play (which Henry Fonda also starred in) is an enjoyable crisp version of the highlights of the film. I liked the film.

The link to the film can also take you to the book, which has various interesting aspects, including ironically the fates of both "Mister Roberts" and the book's author.