Executive calls the plan polarizing

(Binghamton, N.Y.) Broome County Executive Patrick Brennan has issued an executive veto of the county Legislature’s redistricting plan.

In a letter to Clerk of the Legislature Aaron Martin, Brennan said, “Pursuant to Article 3 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, I must veto this Resolution and Local Law.

“The Broome County Legislature admittedly has a very difficult task. Every ten years following the Federal Census, the Legislature must redraw Broome County Legislative districts. This year that task has been compounded, because the number of Legislative districts must be reduced from 19 to 15.    Unfortunately this resolution does not represent an equitable solution.

“While I recognize that reapportionment is a difficult task, I believe it is extremely important to include all stakeholders.   An inclusive process builds confidence in our democratic institutions.   Republicans, Democrats and all others must have real input into creating 15 new Legislative districts.   While the Legislature did create a committee to make recommendations, the final Resolution was passed by an 11 to 7 vote – strictly along party lines.     

“This polarized vote reveals that the new proposed districts were not arrived at through careful inclusion, deliberation and negotiation.   The new districts must attempt to address the concerns of all groups.   Instead this resolution was simply imposed by one party over the other. That is unacceptable.

“I urge all Broome County Legislators of both parties to work together to solve this problem. While it may be impossible to achieve absolute unanimity, it is possible to arrive at a compromise which attempts to protect all voters, not just the voters of one party.         

“I urge you to return to the negotiating table to solve this problem. Certainly if you cannot arrive at a negotiated Resolution, then a court of law would have to redraw the districts. No one wants that option. 

“On reapportionment the Executive only gets to review the final Local Law, because drafting new districts is a legislative function. Consequently I did not participate or interfere with the initial process. Nevertheless, my administration will continue to assist the Legislature. Our Planning department will continue to provide demographic information and mapping at your request.   I personally would be willing to mediate the process if the Legislature believes that would be helpful.”