While it will be several months before the airwaves are flooded with
special interest-backed ad campaigns warning of the potential “dangers”
of a constitutional convention, in Albany, legislative leaders are
beginning to speak out on the issue.
On Saturday, February 18, at Black and Latino Caucus weekend,
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, had one message for
labor union leaders: make sure your members vote “no” on the upcoming
ballot question. This November, New Yorkers will vote on a referendum
whether to call a constitutional convention -- an opportunity for the
public to “take back state government” and update the antiquated state
constitution that occurs once every 20 years.
While a Con Con, as it is often called, would provide a chance for
enacting reforms on things like government ethics, term limits for
elected officials, modernized voting and voter registration rules, and
more, it would open up the entire state constitution to change. To some,
including government reform groups and Assembly Minority Leader Brian
Kolb, this promises an incredible opportunity. To others, like Heastie,
it appears too risky.
Like many state and city elected officials who spoke at Saturday’s
labor luncheon, Heastie cited threats to progressive institutions posed
by President Donald Trump’s administration as he urged union leaders to
oppose the convention.
“We are going to need you to remind people that dangerous things can
happen,” said Heastie in his remarks. “There are some very wealthy
people who want to open up the constitution and really undo some of the
protections for labor. We need your help and cooperation to make sure
that doesn't happen
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