Proposed redistricting maps have been released that would change the district lines for Clarence’s state representatives, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer and Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, among others.

(See editorial on page four)

The lines are being redrawn for the 2012 election in response to 2010 census data.

Ranzenhofer would see his district shift from west to east. He would pick up a large portion of Monroe County, including a segment of Rochester, and would lose the western sections of the Town of Tonawanda and City of Tonawanda.

Clarence will still be in the heart of the district, he said.

Ranzenhofer noted that because the redistricting process has recently begun, there could be significant changes to the districts. There will be public hearings, and the proposals may be challenged by lawsuits.

If the final result is similar to what has been proposed, his district will become somewhat more urban and will place him as a representative of both the Greater Buffalo and Rochester communities.

Corwin would lose southern municipalities currently in her district — Elma, Marilla, Aurora and Wales — and would gain Niagara County communities, including Porter, Newfane, Wilson, Somerset and Hartland, as well as Pembroke in Genesee County.

She said much of the area new to her district would be agricultural.

Corwin said she’s not focusing much attention on the redistricting process, as she wants to prioritize enhancing the local economy and promoting initiatives that will reduce the size of state government and make it less expensive and more effective.

“Right now I’m thinking in terms of helping to create jobs in Western New York and helping the economy in Western New York,” she said.

Ranzenhofer agreed that his constituents were most concerned about other issues.

“The vast majority of the people I represent have contacted me more about issues which they feel are more important, such as the economic climate and jobs, taxes and spending, [and] regulations,” he said.

Corwin said she would like to see the redistricting process become more transparent.

Decisions about the Assembly districts are the responsibility of the Democratic majority, and the Republican majority is in charge in the Senate. Their proposals have to be approved by the governor.

Corwin said she thinks an independent redistricting commission would be a better solution.

“I’ve been involved in a couple of redistrictings at the county level, and no matter what the process is, there’ll always be concerns that it could be done differe ntly,” said Ranzenhofer, who previously served as an Erie County legislator.

He said there will be opportunity for substantial public comment. A public hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Common Council Chambers on the 13th floor at Buffalo City Hall, 65 Niagara St., and there will be hearings elsewhere, including Rochester and Syracuse.

The deadline for a decision is unknown because it’s dependent on the primary election, which has yet to be firmly scheduled. He said a judge proposed a date in June that he believes could have a negative effect because it would put volunteers on the streets in wintry conditions as they seek signatures for candidate petitions.

Corwin said she is interested in hearing from her constituents about the redistricting process. The lines that have been proposed would increase the Niagara County focus, and she said she’d like to see how people in the district feel about that and will be happy to pass along their comments to her colleagues who are making the decisions.

She can be reached at her Clarence office at 839-4691. Ranzenhofer can be reached at his Williamsville office at 631-8695.

For more information about the redistricting process, including maps of the proposed districts, visit the website www.latfor. state.ny.us.