New York - Proposition #1

[shadowkat]

Any New Yorker's out there? If so, what do you think of... Proposition #1?

I have no idea how to vote on this issue. It's very controversial.

The New York State Constitution requires that every 20 years the people decide if a Constitutional Convention should be held to consider amendments to the State Constitution. The purpose of this Ballot Question is to allow the voters of New York State to determine whether a Constitutional Convention will be held in 2019.

If a majority voting on this Question votes NO, there will be no Constitutional Convention.

If a majority votes YES, three delegates from each state senatorial district and 15 atlarge statewide delegates will be elected in November 2018. The delegates will convene at the Capitol in April 2019. Amendments adopted by a majority of the delegates will be submitted to the voters for approval or rejection in a statewide referendum to be held at least six weeks after the Convention adjourns. The delegates will determine whether to submit proposed amendments as separate questions. Any amendments that the voters approve will go into effect on the January 1 following their approval.

If a majority votes in favor of a Constitutional Convention, then the delegates will receive for their services the same compensation as that payable to Members of the Assembly. The delegates also will be reimbursed for actual traveling expenses while the Convention is in session, to the extent that Members of the Assembly would be entitled reimbursement during a session of the Legislature.

The delegates will have the power to appoint the officers, employees, and assistants that they deem necessary and to fix the compensation of those officers, employees, and assistants. The delegates also will have the power to provide for the expenses of the Convention, including the printing of its documents, journal, and proceedings. The delegates will determine the rules of their proceedings, choose their officers, and be the judge of the election, returns, and qualifications of their members. A vacancy in an office of district delegate will be filled by a vote of the remaining delegates representing the district in which the vacancy occurs; a vacancy in the office of a delegate-at-large will be filled by a vote of the remaining delegates-at-large.

For: The Committee for a Constitutional Convention, one of the groups registered to support the question, stated:[19]

“ A constitutional convention, designed to enable the public to overcome entrenched interests, will in all likelihood be opposed by those entrenched interests, including the Legislature. That’s precisely the situation that the Constitution anticipates by giving the public every 20 years the right to convene a constitutional convention. All the entrenched interests will fight hard against a convention to preserve their prerogatives. If a convention is ultimately called, they will also fight to elect Delegates willing to protect those prerogatives. But for all of us a constitutional convention is a unique opportunity to secure needed change, and the election of Delegates committed to needed change has happened before and can be achieved again.[9] ”

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-131) said the state is long overdue for a constitutional convention. He stated:[14]
“ The beauty and necessity of a Constitutional Convention lies in its ability to reform the system and empower the people of New York to facilitate needed change. Voter empowerment is part of the very fabric of who we are as a nation. There is no more effective way to engage the public than a Constitutional Convention, and there is no place that needs it more than Albany. ...

It took seven years for the Legislature to act on a bill that strips convicted public officials of their taxpayer-funded pensions. This is among the most basic, common-sense bills I have come across in my 16 years in the Assembly. But it took seven years for it to move. Albany doesn’t act quickly or decisively enough. But, through a Constitutional Convention, the people can force action that lawmakers are unwilling to take.[9]"

Against:

The United Federation of Teachers stated the following on the constitutional convention question:[35]
“ A constitutional convention is unlimited in the scope of what it could change. This would place New York State’s rights and protections at risk of alteration or elimination, including the guarantee of a free public education, a prohibition against aid to non-public schools and the right to Workers’ Compensation. The right to unionize and bargain collectively and state requirements regarding pensions and social welfare could also wind up on the chopping block.[9] ”

District Council 37, a public employee union, stated:[36]
“ If this sounds like a long and cumbersome process, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This is also a wasteful process that would give big business interests and anti-worker interests the opportunity to attack public services and the retirement security of the men and women who provide them.

If successful, these special interests would:

do untold damage to our retirement security by changing pension laws to reduce retirement benefits;
weaken the power of the state legislature on budget matters;
restrict and redefine the state government’s role in providing services for those in need; and
turn back the clock on workers’ compensation laws.”

Anthony Figliola, vice president of Empire Government Strategies, said:[37]
“ History has shown that a constitutional convention is nothing more than a carbon copy of a typical legislative session. In short, it’s a $335 million-plus workforce development initiative for the politically connected. ...

There is a less costly and more effective approach to changing our constitution and that is the public referendum process, which has successfully amended the constitution more than 200 times. ...

Voters seeking good government solutions can’t afford the luxury of another convention.”

I've no idea what to do on this one. I'm conflicted. The groups that have aligned against it are rather diverse and interesting:

It includes for example -- Planned Parenthood and Right to Life, also most unions and the Republic National Convention, along with Bill de Blasio.

Basically both liberals and conservatives. So I doubt it will get passed.

But, two people told me last week I should vote yes on it because it gives power back to the people. One, is a political activist who would be serving as a delegate. She's African-American and heavily involved in politics. They asked, don't I trust the people? (Well, no, not really. But I don't trust myself half the time.)

Suggestions, opinions would be welcome. Just try to back up your arguments and not rant. I've heard the rants, and they aren't helpful.

Comments

[shadowkat]

None of the unions due. Just look at the link I provided. The AF-CLU doesn't, United Federation of Teachers, etc. It's basically every union in the state.

It's not getting passed. The only people who like it are either the ones serving as delegates, the poli-sci geeks who think it will be cool (and I understand that group actually, because I'm a poli-sci/history geek) and ... the people who are desperate for change. And they're in the minority.

I personally don't see the need for it, and the fact that our crazy-ass governor is all for it, gives me pause.