On Nov. 7, the back of the voting ballot will have a question on whether to call for a state constitutional convention.
A majority of politicians oppose the bid to amend the state constitution remarking that “big-money special interests” would influence the convention process.
Funny, but these same politicians don’t recall that “special-interests” have been holding sway over the state Legislature each and every day for years.
A Siena College poll released in September found that a plurality of New Yorkers favor holding the convention.
Every year tens of thousands of New Yorkers leave the state for greener pastures.
They go to areas with less taxes, warmer climates and more responsive government. Not surprisingly, 46 of New York’s 62 counties have seen a decrease in their populations.
That’s three-quarters of the entire state. Besides taxes, there are onerous regulations, unfunded state mandates and huge public debt to deal with.
A constitutional convention could institute term limits, remedy internal power struggles, foster government reform efforts, gerrymandering, and the “three-men-in-the-room” that seemingly make all the important decisions when it comes to state government. The list goes on and on.
New Yorkers can use the constitutional convention as a way to reform state government from the inside out, and make the Empire State a national trendsetter.
The growing urgency for a constitutional convention is furthered by politicians who have forgotten that they should be working for the people and not lobbyists and special interests.
People can no longer be numb to the dysfunction that is holding us back with high taxes, unfunded state mandates, huge public debt and counties working with fiscal stress like Nassau.
Nassau County needs relief from 17 years of NIFA’s control. Only the people can change things on Nov. 7.
Joseph Campbell
Port Washington
