The Republican Chair of the Onondaga County Legislature came through with his promise Friday to reshape the next redistricting commission. The move follows a failed attempt by Democrats that proposed changes such as allowing for a public referendum to create a new commission without political influence.
Dave Knapp says his party intends to work with Democrats to level the playing field.
"Some of the the things we heard last week, concerns about the process 10 years ago, was the fact that there were previous elected officials on the commission, and one that was about to be. So we wrote in there that going forward, we don't think that previously elected officials, or someone who's getting ready to run should be on the commission.”
Knapp says lawyers advised the republican caucus the democratic proposal was unconstitutional. The GOP proposal addresses details in the charter such as the criteria and who qualifies to sit on the redistricting commission. Two members would continue to be the County Elections Commissioners and the County Executive. The other three seats would be open to the public.
"We'll take the spirit if what they were trying to recommend by saying no previously elected officials, especially no one on committees. You're truly getting citizens.”
Democrats seemed receptive to the proposal in concept… and asked for some concessions. Knapp says he plans to have the revised plan soon after further discussions with his democratic colleagues.
