December 17th, 2009

By PAUL POST, The Saratogian

QUEENSBURY — More than 100 frustrated, angry residents turned out Wednesday to learn about plans for a so-called People’s Convention to reform state government.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, who was joined by local Assembly members Tony Jordan, R-Greenwich, and Teresa Sayward, R-Willsboro, who also represent parts of Saratoga County.

The state constitution makes provisions for a People’s Convention every 20 years, where delegates gather to propose changes in state government, apart from the Legislature. Issues could run the gamut from term limits to redistricting or spending and tax caps.

“Anything the convention wants to take up they can take up,” Kolb told residents, at West Glens Falls fire house. The gathering was the first in a series of statewide “town hall” meetings aimed at building grassroots support for the effort. A similar event was planned Wednesday night in Plattsburgh.

Under the current timeline, the next convention couldn’t be held until 2018, but Kolb — frustrated by state government’s failures — wants to move it up several years. First, the Legislature would have to pass a law putting the proposal to a statewide vote, and residents would have to approve it at the polls during next November’s elections. If approved, delegates would convene in 2011 and make recommendations subject to another statewide referendum in 2012 or ’13.

Many residents, upset by spiraling taxes at every level, voiced support for the proposal.

“We’re angry!’” said Charis Cook of Hadley.

Photographer Ed Wyant, of North River, blasted the state for providing more than $1 billion worth of incentives to create Luther Forest Technology Campus, while burdening small business owners with higher taxes and stricter regulations.

“What about the small people who are trying to make a living?” he said. “The State of New York is driving us out.”

Wyant said he can’t take out a loan to expand his business, because he’s doesn’t know if he could pay it back because of rapidly rising taxes.

Others, however, remained skeptical of reform efforts. Kolb touted plans for a convention as non-partisan, saying it has support from Republicans and Democrats alike.

But former Wilton GOP Chairman Chris Laing said Republicans are just trying to gain popularity with disgruntled voters. He ran against Jordan in a 2008 primary for Assembly. “They (Republicans) know it isn’t going to see the light of day,” he said. “What they’re doing is shameful.”

Kolb said he hasn’t formally contacted Democratic Party leaders but plans to soon. Austin Shafran, a spokesman, for Senate leader John Sampson, D-Brooklyn said, “I haven’t heard about the proposal, but it would be something our conference would have to discuss prior to further comment.”

Melissa Mansfield, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said Kolb’s bill is under review in the Judiciary Committee. She declined further comment.

Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Center, said, “While a constitutional convention is something the Legislature is required to consider, the fact is you don’t need one to achieve critical reforms. We would urge the Democrats in the Senate to join us in supporting a spending cap, initiative and referendum, and other reforms so we can change Albany for the better.”

A People’s Convention, if one is held, would be paid for by the state and could cost up to $20 million, which Kolb described as a small price to pay for meaningful change. A convention hasn’t been held since 1967. State residents defeated referendums allowing for a convention the last two times it’s come up, in 1977 and ’97. Both times the proposal lost by more than 500,000 votes.

One thing nearly everyone present agreed on is that state government, in its current form, needs fixing.

“It’s completely broken,” said Carol Sledd of Glens Falls. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”