Earlier this week, I attended an information session hosted by Commerce Chenango. For roughly an hour, a group of local business people, elected officials and I listened to Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb talk about the need for reform of our state government.
On this point, I wholeheartedly agree with the esteemed assemblyman. We see examples all around us of the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of our state government. Some would even call it dysfunctional. Despite the worst recession – or depression, call it what you like – in the better part of a century, our Governor-by-default crafted a budget which seemed destined to drive our economy and our state even further into the hole. And as evidenced by the mid-year budget crisis and Paterson’s recent decision to freeze spending – he accomplished just that.
Despite preaching budget cuts last year, he increased spending. And piled even more taxes and fees on the backs of New York’s already overburdened taxpayers. $10 billion in new spending, and $8.5 million in new taxes and fees. What has it gotten us? A multi-billion dollar mid-year deficit, and the promise of more of the same to come.
As Kolb said Tuesday, “There is small solace in saying ‘I told you so.’”
It’s almost like Paterson is playing chicken with businesses and property owners. I have to wonder, is he trying to see just how high taxes can be raised before he drives everybody out?
But of course it doesn’t do any good to just gripe. The question is, what are we going to do about? There has to be change if we want our state to be viable in the long run. Because I’m assuming we’d all rather see the Empire State grow and prosper rather than go the way of Ancient Rome.
The multi-billion dollar question is how on earth do you bring reform to an institution so entrenched in its ways that the only way real change can occur is in the face of crisis?
Kolb’s answer to this question, which has garnered support in both the state Assembly and Senate, is to convene a constitutional convention. Now, this proposition will appear automatically on the ballot for voter approval in 2017, but Kolb is trying to “move the question,” to borrow a term from Robert’s Rules of Order. He is proposing to put the matter to voters in 2010.
What exactly is a constitutional convention? It is where delegates, which are elected by the people, meet to discuss whether or not changes should be made to the documents which define how our state government operates and even how it is structured. Their recommendations to revise and or amend the state’s constitution are then put before voters for approval before the changes are enacted.
According to Kolb, the last time New Yorkers voted to convene a such a body was in 1967. In that instance, after months of deliberation, the proposals drawn up by delegates were rejected by voters.
The last time the proposition appeared on the ballot, in 1997, it was voted down.
Actually, Kolb’s exact words on the matter were that it “went down in flames.” But still he is undeterred. Citing numerous examples of why taking this admittedly risky step is necessary to effect positive change at the state’s highest levels, he is making the rounds to encourage support for the movement he calls the “People’s Convention to Reform NY.”
