gavel lies on wood table A controversial, reintroduced judicial redistricting proposal could redraw court lines in central and western New York, after the Democratic-controlled state legislature advanced versions of the legislation Thursday. The proposed reshuffling of the 22-county 4th Judicial Department—which would isolate urban hubs of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse by making Erie, Monroe, and Onondaga counties separate districts—continues to draw criticism from state Republican lawmakers.