Redistricting Map Flap

By Michael Aron

Senate President Steve Sweeney was fending off criticism from within his own caucus over the report that the Democratic delegation on the Reapportionment Committee was considering putting Senator Barbara Buono and Senator Joe Vitale into one new district.  Supporters of both senators are saying Sweeney was making life difficult for Buono because she’s a thorn in his side and a potential rival for the gubernatorial nomination in 2013 while Vitale supported Dick Codey for senate president over Sweeney two years ago.  Sweeney denies there was ever any personal component to it.