What’s next in the redistricting fight

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Jul 26, 2023 View in browser   By Bill Mahoney, Jeff Coltin and Hajah Bah Presented by New York state Court of Appeals. | UpstateNYer via Wikicommons Republicans are formally advancing a legal battle over New York's congressional seats to determine how many are competitive for the remainder of the decade. On Tuesday, they filed their expected notice of appeal in the ongoing litigation over the state's congressional maps. Meanwhile, Democrats are hoping that the Court of Appeals upholds a lower court’s ruling, which could place the mapmaking pen back in their hands. But even as the future path of the lawsuit gained some clarity with the GOP filing, any candidates wanting to find out if their districts will change before next year’s vote still have a bit of a wait. The court is on summer recess until Sept. 12. Judges could theoretically return before then to hear arguments in this case, but nobody is predicting they’ll be back sooner: “I don’t think anything is imminent,” said former Rep. John Faso, who has helped organize the GOP’s legal efforts on the maps. That timing might lead to a truncated process if Democrats win. The state constitution puts Sept. 15 as the date when mapmaking is fully commenced, with a redistricting commission releasing information to the public in advance of a 12-city public hearing schedule throughout the fall. If Republicans receive a stay on the appellate decision that ordered the commission back to work — and Faso believes they automatically received one with their Tuesday filing, though not every lawyer agrees — Sept. 15 could pass without staffers having even begun the complex process of finding venues and dates for the hearings. A Democratic victory in the state’s highest court would mean legislators would vote on two new sets of maps drawn by the commission. If they reject both, the Democratic-dominated Legislature would approve its own plan. There’s not much flexibility with the timing of that final step. Assuming the primaries aren’t delayed like they were in 2022, the final maps would need to be approved by early February to avoid conflicts with the petitioning process. That means the first set of maps from the commission needs to be done by early January — regardless of how the rest of the calendar might be adjusted. That’s worth keeping in mind as legal filings continue to be submitted in the coming weeks. As the days pass by, the GOP will have an easier time arguing there simply isn't enough time left to reconvene the commission. “It would be in the Democrats’ interest to get the mapping done with as soon as possible, and it’s in the Republican interest to slow the case down,” noted New York Law School professor Jeff Wice. IT’S WEDNESDAY. WHERE’S KATHY? Speaking at the New York Building Congress breakfast and making economic development announcements in Oswego and Syracuse. WHERE’S ERIC? Delivering an appointment-related announcement in New York City and highlighting new investments in career advancement for people with disabilities in Brooklyn. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Extreme heat is posing a significant health risk for New Yorkers, especially for vulnerable populations like children and seniors. I have directed State agencies to take all necessary precautions to keep New Yorkers safe during this weather event," Hochul said about the incoming heat wave.   A message from Community Offshore Wind: Community Offshore Wind is helping New York meet its ambitious emission reductions targets – and more. We are lifting up communities and bringing widespread benefits across the state, introducing good-paying union jobs, providing access to childcare for those training and working in the offshore wind industry, creating inclusive workforce development programs, and empowering disadvantaged communities to ensure no one is left behind. We have strong roots in New York, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that New York communities thrive.   WHAT CITY HALL IS READING City Officials Seeking Private Contractors to Open New Migrant Shelters, by THE CITY's Gwynne Hogan NYC spending $69M on private firms to staff migrant shelters, by New York Post’s Carl Campanile: “A staggering 188 emergency migrant shelters are already being bankrolled by the city, including a number of hotels that cost a fortune to lease." New Yorkers React to Eric Adams Reacting to Someone Saying ‘Fuck You,’ by Hell Gate’s Katie Way: “'Yeah, I would've ignored the heckler.'” Bill de Blasio | AP Photo/Jason DeCrow NOT WITH A BANG: Former Mayor Bill de Blasio officially closed out his Congressional campaign account from his aborted 2022 run, filing a termination report Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission. In the last few months, de Blasio has transferred $154,000 to his presidential campaign account, which he used to pay off debts to two law firms, and a $53,100 fine to the FEC for illegally using his PACs to help his campaign. — Jeff Coltin PEOPLE ARE TALKIN’: “We’ve got POLITICO building the squad… I’m so excited for this new venture for you and Emily (Ngo) and Nick (Reisman),” Christina Greer said to Jeff Coltin on this week’s FAQ NYC podcast, about the New York Playbook team. “Emily’s from Chicago. So if you guys were like the ‘90s Bulls it’s Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. I’m curious as to who’s the Rodman.” The conversation, with co-host Katie Honan, also went into how NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell leaving was a political loss for the mayor, even if it doesn’t affect policy much, and how progressives are coordinating to defeat Adams in 2025.   SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY.     WHAT ALBANY'S READING NY Chief Judge Rowan Wilson slammed for hire of Senate Democrat staffer: ‘Reeks of a quid pro quo’, by New York Post’s Carl Campanile & Bernadette Hogan Proposed bill seeks to separate political giving, contract awards, by Times Union’s Joshua Soloman: “One week before state officials awarded a migrant sheltering contract worth up to $800 million to two companies, one of the companies sent a $5,000 check to the campaign of Gov. Kathy Hochul.” State legislators meet at White House to discuss child care, by Spectrum News’ Tim Williams   A message from Community Offshore Wind:   AROUND NEW YORK — NYPD is ending access to Brooklyn precinct radios for the press and the public. The whole city could follow soon. (amNewYork Metro) — The International Cricket Council has already spent $100,000 on lobbying firm Geto & de Milly to pitch a temporary stadium for 2024 World Cup matches. (Crain’s) — What’s in the subway water that drips on your head? It’s actually not that gross. (Curbed)   JOIN 7/27 FOR A TALK ON WOMEN LEADERS IN THE NEW WORKPLACE: In the wake of the pandemic, U.S. lawmakers saw a unique opportunity to address the current childcare system, which has become increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, but the initial proposals went nowhere. With the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus in May, there may be a path to make childcare more affordable. Join Women Rule on July 27 to dive into this timely topic and more with featured speakers Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Founder of Girls Who Code. REGISTER HERE.     FROM THE DELEGATION Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) gives an interview in her office on Capitol Hill March 23, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO AOC Is Just a Regular Old Democrat Now, by New York Magazine’s Freddie deBoer: “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent appearance on the Pod Save America podcast had, for me, the feeling of a final disappointment, the kind that’s a little sad but brings a set of quixotic hopes to a close. "AOC appeared on the popular Crooked Media show to announce her endorsement of Joe Biden for president in the 2024 election." SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Erin Gloria Ryan … Dan Harris … (was Tuesday): Arkady L. Bukh ... Peter Grossman ... Alan N. Maisel (h/ts Jewish Insider) ENGAGED — Andrew Moore, chief of staff to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, last week proposed to Virginia Boney, senior manager for public policy at Amazon. The couple got engaged in Aspen, where they met two years ago at the Schmidt Futures’ International Strategy Forum. Pic   A message from Community Offshore Wind: The clean energy transition is about more than just energy. At Community Offshore Wind, our commitment to communities is at the heart of everything we do. With strong roots in New York, we will deliver widespread benefits across the state and infuse $15 billion into the state economy. This includes creating job training programs to support union labor, investing in our youth to build the workforce of tomorrow, offering childcare for employees and trainees, and building an inclusive clean energy future that empowers disadvantaged communities. Community Offshore Wind is committed to localizing the offshore wind supply chain proposing the first-ever made-in-New-York offshore wind turbines. We have a goal of uplifting communities with the power of clean energy for all.   Real Estate Insurance companies routinely deny NYC buildings with subsidized tenants, by Gothamist’s David Brand: “For property owners, the rejections can set off a scramble for coverage, forcing them to pay thousands of dollars more to insure their buildings — costs they either pass on to tenants, or offset by foregoing building maintenance, repairs and other investments."   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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