fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Submit Your Event
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Send Letter to the Editor
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Letter: Vote no on the constitutional convention

by HV1 Staff
October 24, 2017
in Letters
0
What would a New York State Constitutional Convention do?


What would you do if you were asked to invest in a project that has no set deadline, no guaranteed results, would not include you at any level and could end up losing you money? Chances are, you would pass.

But supporters of a state constitutional convention want you to vote to approve a convention that is not only expensive, but has too many unknowns. Simply put, a constitutional convention is a boondoggle that is wrong for New York and its people.

The state constitution protects many things, including pensions, collective bargaining rights, state civil service rights, human rights, our environment, public education and many more. A convention could jeopardize many of these protections.

Another major reason to oppose the convention is the potential costs. A convention could cost our state hundreds of millions of dollars. This money could be used for vital services such as improving infrastructure, emergency services, education or health care.

If a convention is approved, New Yorkers would elect delegates next year. Most of the delegates are likely to come from the ranks of corporate lobbyists and wealthy special interests who already have an influential voice. Elected officials would also be eligible to become delegates. Delegates would be paid nearly $80,000 each, plus pension credit (included elected officials already in the system), and they would be allowed to rent office space and hire staff. By the way, delegates would have no restrictions on hiring their friends or relatives.

A convention has no set time limit, delegates can set their own rules and there are no guarantees about the results. All of the proposed changes from the 1967 convention, packaged together in one ballot question, were rejected by voters. Taxpayers literally paid millions for nothing. In short, we’re not invited to the party, yet we would foot the bill.

A constitutional convention is also unnecessary. The state legislature can amend the constitution through a resolution passed in five consecutive sessions and brought before all New Yorkers for approval. Not only does this allow changes to be made without opening everything in the constitution, but our state has passed over 200 amendments in this manner.

Go to the polls and vote no on Nov. 7 — and urge your families, friends and co-workers to do the same. Getting out to vote is the only way your voice will be heard.

Casey Donovan
Kingston

Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher

HV1 Staff

Related Posts

Thousands take to streets for 20th annual New Paltz pride march and festival (photos)
Letters

Letters to the editor: June 4, 2025 (Central Hudson, Big, Beautiful Bill, graceful aging and more)

June 3, 2025
Memorial Day Parade returns in Woodstock
Letters

Letters to the editor: May 28, 2025 (Amanda Gotto, Anula Courtis, Tim Rogers and more)

May 27, 2025
Accusations, drag, iPark 87 and more letters from our readers
Letters

Letters to the editor: May 21, 2025 (NY A 7641, perspective, senior moment and more)

May 20, 2025
LETTER: New Paltz United Teachers endorse write-in candidates for the board of education
Education

LETTER: New Paltz United Teachers endorse write-in candidates for the board of education

May 14, 2025
Letters to the editor: May 14, 2025 (Prop 2, consolidation, due process and more)
Letters

Letters to the editor: May 14, 2025 (Prop 2, consolidation, due process and more)

May 13, 2025
New Paltz businessowners talk about what re-opening will be like
Letters

LETTER: Village of New Paltz advocates for consolidation over dissolution after research and outreach

May 12, 2025
Next Post
Letter: Waiting for the first frost

Letter: Waiting for the first frost

Weather

Kingston, NY
66°
Showers in the Vicinity
5:19 am8:30 pm EDT
Feels like: 66°F
Wind: 2mph N
Humidity: 96%
Pressure: 29.77"Hg
UV index: 3
SunMonTue
77°F / 59°F
68°F / 59°F
72°F / 57°F
powered by Weather Atlas

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Art
    • Books
    • Kids
    • Lifestyle & Wellness
    • Food & Drink
    • Music
    • Nature
    • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    • Hey Kingston
    • New Paltz Times
    • Woodstock Times
    • Week in Review

© 2022 Ulster Publishing