Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention

  • Cuomo’s Preparatory Commission Should Prioritize Fixing ConCon Process

    color guard SOTS

    photo: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 


    In his 2016 State of the State Address, Governor Andrew Cuomo promised to “invest $1 million to create an expert, non-partisan commission to develop a blueprint for a [constitutional] convention.” New Yorkers will vote on Nov. 7, 2017 on whether to call a state constitutional convention and the commission would educate the public on what a “yes” vote might entail.

    Traditionally, such commissions have taken the constitutional convention process

    ...
  • State Constitutional Convention: Holy Grail or Pandora's Box?

    convention

    photo: @NYSenDems


    With a legislature now routinely shaken by major indictments, pressing issues left perpetually unresolved, and voter dissatisfaction with state government on the rise, some see a constitutional convention as perhaps the only way to bypass the legislature and institute serious reform. It just so happens that in 2017 voters will get to decide whether to have such a convention.

    "A lot of the reforms people want to see don't need a convention to be instituted, but political will on the part of the legislature," said Blair Horner

    ...