A commission will soon be redrawing Onondaga County's legislative district lines under a GOP resolution that some say does little more than "encourage" a fair and open process. The measure introduced by legislator Brian May at their meeting last week differs significantly from others proposed by democrats earlier this year.
"The resolution that we're looking at portrays strong intent to improve the fairness and efficacy of our redistricting process in the county."
Democrat Chris Ryan has his doubts.
"There's nothing in this resolution that mandates change."
Legislator Chris Ryan first pushed for an advisory committee to the reapportionment commission. When that failed, he proposed a change in county charter to create an independent redistricting commission. That, too, was also voted down by the republican majority. Ryan says that would have advanced a true form of democracy.
"Putting the power into the hands of the people. Taking all of the appointments and the influence and any ability to redraw a district out of the hands of any electeds, political appointee, or politician."
Ryan says the republican resolution falls short in just about every way because it only “recommends” or “encourages” those provisions versus making them law. He hopes the reapportionment commission does a better job than the previous one did about 10 years ago when members drew districts that have been mocked for their strange shapes.
"Vultures, crustaceans, peninsulas, eagles taking flight. That's not good. Those aren't good maps. It alienates voters. It does not speak for democracy, and could have been prevented."
Ryan says republican lawmakers missed an opportunity to learn from other municipalities like Austin, Texas and San Diego, California.
"The manner and the way those municipalities redraw their districts...citizen led, independent citizens... it's a different way of thinking. We could have done and should have done better."
He says gerrymandering districts are being challenged in courts across the country, so Ryan is hopeful the process will be carried out in a transparent, fair manner.
