What are the people to do when a state government forgets that its central purpose is to serve the people, and not the other way around? As I travel the state, I speak to many New Yorkers who have begun to ask themselves that very question.
That’s why I feel it’s time to shed light on state government and take back control from special interests and downstate power-brokers through a Constitutional or “People’s” Convention, a constitutional right for non-partisan taxpayer delegates to vote on essential reforms to our state Constitution, and make fundamental changes to our property tax system, redistricting lines, and a wide variety of important state issues. Once again, individual taxpayers will be able to control their own life and determine for themselves what type of government they have: one that works for them, or one that works against them.
Under state law, state government is required to present voters with the opportunity to hold a Constitutional Convention every 20 years. Since voters declined to do so the last time it was offered in 1997, state leaders aren’t required to offer it again until 2017. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to stand idly by as our state continues to decay from the inside out. We must act.
As your Assemblyman, I have made a “People’s Convention” one of my top priorities. In the coming months, I will travel the district to educate and inform residents on the underlying rationale behind holding a convention, outline the challenges that lie ahead, and hopefully, build support for this vital initiative.
