Just Say "No" to More Games From Albany

Tomorrow, on Election Day, registered voters will have an opportunity to change New York state's Constitution, and another to approve or deny $2 billion in borrowing. They just have to remember to flip their ballots first. The first time flipping the ballots in our 1930's style voting "improvement" was an issue was over Mr Feiner's referendum for approving the illegal Game On 365 lease. He was so disturbed to learn people weren't voting for it that he sent out an email blast and had numerous media outlets post a letter on their websites reminding voters of the need to look on the back of their Kandahar style ballots.

It's expected that about 4 million people will vote in New York tomorrow, but far fewer will actually weigh in on three proposals that will appear on the back of every ballot statewide. Many, unaware of the issues will simply unknowingly vote for the propositions without understanding their ramifications. In 2013 — a low-turnout year with no statewide races — a total of 3.3 million people cast a ballot in New York. Of those, about 2.8 million voted on the first ballot proposal that year, a high-profile amendment to allow up to seven private casinos. Now we see casinos everywhere either struggling to stay open or closing, proving that casinos are not the panacea our current crop of politicians had hoped for.

This year, voters will be asked to decide three issues, though none rise to the profile of the casino amendment last year. But their impact remains as the proposals will decide how the state draws its legislative districts and whether it will borrow to fund technology upgrades in schools.

Proposition 1
The first proposal traces its roots to 2012, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature struck a deal on a set of congressional and state legislative district lines for the next decade. Cuomo approved the district lines that year despite protests from some minority-party lawmakers and good-government groups who alleged they were drawn by the Senate's Republican and Assembly's Democratic leaders in a way that strengthened their hold on power.

If approved in this election, a new commission would be created to re-draw the lines every 10 years based on updated census figures. In and of itself, by law, this is going to happen anyway. Here's the rub: the panel would have 10 members: Two each appointed by the Senate's majority and minority leaders, two each from the Assembly's majority and minority leaders, and the remaining two picked by the other eight appointees. This has political nepotism and cronyism written all over it and promises to further ensure redistricting that benefits the incumbent, not the voter..

This panel would be required to hold public hearings across the state before drawing districts that would be subject to approval from the Legislature. If the Legislature twice rejects the proposed lines, legislative leaders would be permitted to alter the proposed districts and vote again. Here again is the rub: After the paper hearings are held, the legislative leaders will redraw the district lines themselves and the public, known for their waning interest and distrust in politicians will simply acquiesce or throw up their hands in frustration, walk awy and the politicos will get what they set out to do.

Passing Proposition 1 does not ensure any reform or an improved process that will benefit voters. ABG recommends voting 'no' for Proposition 1.

Proposition 2
The second ballot proposal deals with the amount of paper used each year by the Legislature to print bills and place them on lawmakers' desks. Under the current New York state Constitution, a bill can't become a law unless it has been printed and placed on all 213 lawmakers' desks at least three days before it's put to a vote. With state budget bills totaling thousands of pages and thousands of bills introduced each year, the amount of paper used piles up quickly. Proposal 2 would alter the constitution to allow the bill to be deemed "printed" if it's provided to lawmakers electronically.

Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, Schenectady County, pushed legislators to support the amendment saying, "You're going to save forest land.. You're going to save money." While there has been little opposition because every legislator knows its good to "play green", we agree with Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, D-Yonkers, who said she was wary of making it easier for lawmakers to vote on bills without reading them. Still, there's been little opposition to the amendment, which was sponsored in the Legislature by Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, D-Ossining. While lawmakers would still be able to print the bills, if they so desired a hard copy, the printing industry has proven with facts and figures that more trees are planted to replace those used in the paper-producing process than are cut down. So, while not printing bills might work, the better amendment might be to have the legislators voluntarily opt to use electronic copies with a trial period and monitor whether electronic versions work out; plus have an increased time to review them instead of three days. Since that is not the change on the ballot, ABG recommends voting 'no' for Proposition 2.

Proposition 3
The third proposal would authorize a $2 billion bond act that would fund technology upgrades in schools and refurbishing or acquiring space for prekindergarten programs. If approved, the state would borrow the money and make it available to school districts who submit a plan to implement the money to buy equipment upgrades, improve broadband Internet access or make other technological improvements, including to school security equipment. Purchasing or refurbishing facilities to house expanding prekindergarten programs or replace trailer classrooms — said to be found in New York City — are also approved costs.

Here's the rub: This is another way for legislators to ensure backing from the teachers unions across the state! Do pre-kindergarten kids really need internet access? Probably not. What this does do is remove the control from the parents and local school districts to decide what they do and don't want to fund for their kids' schools. This becomes another unfunded mandate that will simply grow and grow. Using bonds to specify and limit high-tech purchases for equipment that will be obsolete before the equipment arrives is not smart. The New York State United Teachers Union, has spent $200,000 on television ads urging a "yes" vote. The state School Boards Association, however, has remained neutral on the issue. There's a good reason for this. It's a bad idea. Although, we're sure our favorites saying can't be far behind the urging for approval, It's for the children." This is another New York State boondoggle whose time has not come and will cost us all more and more money via increased taxes. ABG recommends voting 'no' for Proposition 3.

ABG often speaks of the willfully ignorant voter in Greenburgh. This isn't about being a Democrat or Republican. Rather, this is about being a smart, informed New Yorker. Just say, "No!" and send another message to Albany. Then we might see A Better Greenburgh.