BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP JULY 21 - JULY 27, 2017 19
THE CONVENTION QUESTION: IS NEW
YORK STATE WORKING FOR YOU?
New Yorkers will vote
on a Constitutional
Convention this fall.
Before they head to
the polls, they should
consider one very
basic question: Is New
York State government
working for
you?
Those who would
answer “Yes” can stop
reading.
But those who would answer
“No” likely believe we can do
better on taxes, regulations, corruption,
public safety or several
other issues. For those hoping to
change New York, a Constitutional
Convention carries the potential
for reform, directed solely by the
voting public.
The potential for change can
o en inspire fear, especially for
those whose entrenched power
may be a ected by a reform-minded
public. Scare tactics by convention
opponents portray it as a
threat to many important policies
and programs.
I fi rmly believe Albany is in dire
need of reform, but to be perfectly
clear:
• I DO NOT support any proposal
that would reduce or impact
public pensions and retirement
benefi ts;
• I DO NOT support putting the
State Pension Fund under the
governor’s control;
• I DO NOT support measures that
undermine Second Amendment
rights; and
• I DO NOT support an agenda
that jeopardizes open space
protections.
I’ve seen enough dysfunction in
Albany to know that taxpayers deserve
better than what they’re getting.
Supporting comprehensive
reforms through a Constitutional
Convention does not mean that all
state-driven programs should be
under scrutiny.
The structure of a
Constitutional Convention
allows for every
part of the process to
be dictated by the voting
public. New Yorkers
– not elected o cials,
not lobbyists, not special
interest organizations
– will decide by
majority vote:
• Whether or not
a Constitutional Convention will
be held;
• Which delegates will represent
their interests at a convention;
and
• Which recommended measures
become law or are rejected.
Information about the Constitutional
Convention process and
what it would mean for New York
state can be found at www.nyconstitution.
org.
The governor, legislative majorities
and high-powered special-interest
groups have either shown
no interest in a convention or are
actively campaigning against
holding one.
The reason is simple – the
Albany establishment does not
like change, especially if its longstanding
powers are threatened.
But the fate of a Constitutional
Convention should not be driven
by political agendas or infl uence.
It should represent one thing, the
will of the people.
What do you think? I want to
hear from you. Send me your
feedback, suggestions and ideas
regarding this or any other issue
facing New York state. You can
always contact my district o ce at
(315) 781-2030, email me at kolbb@
nyassembly.gov, fi nd me by searching
for Assemblyman Brian Kolb
on Facebook, and follow me on
Twitter.
Assemblymember Brian Kolb is
Assembly minority leader.
BK SNAP S
D TRAIN, BENSONHURST.
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GUEST OPED
THE HOT TOPIC
STORY: Driving into the 21st Century
SUMMARY: As of July 8, southwest Brooklyn took a leap into the future
with the advent of cashless tolling on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. In the
editorial section of last week’s paper, we lauded the advancement as one that
was long overdue. However, we also raised concerns about toll disparities
between the two boroughs. Residents on both sides of the bridge were quick to
react.
REACH: 2,734 people (as of 7/17/17)
BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER
BRIAN KOLB
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