December 16th, 2009

By Julie Sherwood, staff writer

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, was on the road Tuesday speaking at a Town Hall meeting in West Glens Falls, Warren County, about the People’s Convention to Reform New York Act. If enacted, Assembly Bill A.9157 would put the question of whether New York should convene a People’s Convention on the 2010 ballot.

By law, this question automatically goes before voters in 2017. This measure would move up the opportunity for reform by seven years, accelerating the state’s ability to enact long overdue and much-needed changes, stated a release from Kolb.

The legislation specifically requires that any elected official seeking to run as a delegate for, or serve in, the People’s Convention must first resign their office.

Issues that could be considered during a People’s Convention include fiscal reforms like a cap on property taxes and state-spending; debt reform; and a ban on certain borrowing and unfunded mandates. Governmental reforms such as initiative and referendum, an independent Legislative Redistricting Commission, term limits for legislative leaders, ethics reform and a succession plan for state offices could also be considered.

The People’s Convention to Reform New York Act has been co-sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Schroeder, a Democrat whose district includes the city of Buffalo; and 33 members of the Assembly Republican Conference. Additionally, 41 local municipalities statewide have already enacted local resolutions in support of the legislation. Nearly 1,700 New Yorkers have signed an online petition calling for a People’s Convention, at www.reformny.org.