Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb is on the road promoting People’s Convention to Reform New York. Last week, he held Town Hall meetings to explain Assembly Bill A.9157, in Warren County. Beginning January, his travels will include town hall meetings in the Finger Lakes region, including Ontario County, said Kolb spokesman Joshua Fitzpatrick.

The bill has sparked a lot of interest, said Fitzpatrick. More than 1,700 people have so far signed an online petition supporting it.

Kolb’s office answered some questions about the bill, which is designed to spur a vote that could result in the election of taxpayer-delegates who would have the authority to set the agenda on issues crucial to New Yorkers.

Q. What is the People’s Convention?

A. The “People’s Convention to Reform New York” is an effort to bring positive change and chart a new direction for New York state. The question of whether New York should convene a People’s Convention will automatically go before voters in 2017.  If enacted, the “People’s Convention to Reform New York Act,” (Assembly bill, A.9157) would move that up by seven years, by placing it on the ballot in the 2010 elections.

Q. What issues can be addressed at the People’s Convention? 

A.   Some of the issues that could be considered include fiscal reforms like a property tax and state spending cap, debt reform, a ban on back-door borrowing and unfunded mandates. Term limits for legislative leaders, ethics reform and a succession plan for state offices could also be part of the People’s Convention.

Q. Is this really for the people?

A. Yes because the average taxpayer could run to become a delegate, giving them a strong voice in reforming state government.

Q. How many delegates are selected? 

A. The voters would choose (in general elections) three delegates from each of the 62 senatorial districts and 15 delegates statewide, for a total of 201 citizen delegates.

Q. How do you become a delegate? 

A. Any citizen who obtains 1,000 signatures from registered voters of the state Senate district would qualify for the non-partisan primary election. Candidates for state-wide delegate would be required to obtain 10,000 signatures to qualify for the primary.

Q. Can elected officials, political party officials or lobbyists run as delegates? 

A. Elected officials, lobbyists, special interest representatives or party officials would be forced to resign from their office if elected as delegates. Lobbyists would be prohibited from serving as a delegate. This would prevent the special interests and political insiders from hijacking the reform process.

Q. When and where would the convention convene?

A. The People’s Convention would convene in a facility at the state Capitol, in Albany, on the first Tuesday of April, immediately following the election of citizen delegates.

Q. How long do conventions last?

A. The convention would continue until the people’s business was completed. The 1967 session lasted 22 weeks.

Q. What happens to a proposed state constitution or constitutional amendment adopted by the People’s Convention? 

A. Any proposed state constitution or constitutional amendment must be approved by the people in a state-wide election.

Q. Why a People’s Convention?

A. Many think state government is broken. So far, support for the measure includes 33 members of the Assembly Republican Conference; former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican; former Gov. Mario Cuomo, a Democrat. Local organizations and municipalities supporting it include: city of Canandaigua; Yates County Legislature, Geneva Chamber of Commerce; and Ontario County towns of Hopewell, Farmington, Canadice, Victor and Bristol.