Who knew the part-time workers called commissioners that try to make redistricting maps that align with their own political party were getting paid $39,825 each? Then, they gave themselves a raise to $55,755.

The front-page article in the Daily News on March 25 under “In Brief” is titled: “State redistricting commission takes back 7% pay raise.” Then it goes on to say that the commission gave themselves a raise a year ago from $39,825 annually to $55,755, and more recently — about a month ago — they gave themselves another 7% raise, which brought them to nearly $60,000. There are 13 commissioners, so the total they would be costing the taxpayers annually is almost $780,000 to change the districts in ways nobody wants in an attempt to manipulate electorates.

The issue with this article is that it does not equate and sounds like left-wing double talk. Did they take the 7% back or did they give the 7% back? And if they only gave 7% back, then they would still be getting $55,755, but the last paragraph says they agreed to return the pay back to $39,825. So which is it? Is Associated Press selling us more malarky? Or is this more government shenanigans? Or are they one and the same?

For some folks who only scan the headlines, the article is very misleading. And for those who read it all, very confusing, and leaves one with more questions than answers.

(Editor’s note: The Associated Press issued a correction Thursday that commission members still will be paid $55,755, not the $39,825 that Rose pointed out was listed in the March 25 article.)