Jimmy Vielkind of the Times Union writes:

“New state legislative districts were unveiled Thursday amid a fusillade of criticism — including an unprecedented veto threat by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo’s verdict came in a terse statement a few hours after the lines, which must be redrawn every 10 years to conform to the new federal Census, arrived at 2 p.m.

‘At first glance, these lines are simply unacceptable and would be vetoed by the governor,’ said spokesman Josh Vlasto. ‘We need a better process and product.’

New lines have been drawn by LATFOR, which is jointly controlled by Democrats who dominate the Assembly and Republicans who hold a bare 32-seat majority in the Senate. By long tradition, the majority party draws lines in its own house.

The process has long been criticized by good-government groups. In 2010, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch asked lawmakers to pledge to reform the system, and most — including Cuomo and Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos — signed on.

‘Today, victory lies with the enemies of reform,’ Koch said in a statement.’”

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