Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Information Related to\u00a0New York’s Nov. 7, 2017 Constitutional Convention Referendum<\/h4>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” column_structure=”2_3,1_3″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Democratic Purpose of the Referendum” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”15|||”]<\/p>\n
The Purpose of the Referendum<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"New](\"http:\/\/newyork.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/QuillPenWithConstitution-MediumResolution.jpg\")
<\/a>Click to read New York’s Constitution<\/p><\/div>\n
The unique democratic purpose of New York\u2019s periodic constitutional convention referendum is to implement New Yorkers\u2019 inalienable right to alter their constitution in cases where the interests of the legislature and people conflict. New York’s Constitution\u00a0allows the people to exercise\u00a0this right once every twenty years. To realize\u00a0this democratic\u00a0purpose, a\u00a0convention must\u00a0be substantially independent of the legislature’s control. \u00a0For example, New York’s Constitution prohibits the legislature\u00a0from directly limiting\u00a0a convention\u2019s agenda. The agenda\u00a0is placed in the hands of the people\u00a0independently of the legislature. Democratic accountability is primarily sought\u00a0by granting the people three votes over the process:<\/p>\n
\n- to call a convention,<\/li>\n
- to elect delegates to a convention, and<\/li>\n
- to ratify any amendments a convention might propose for their consideration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The people\u00a0cannot ratify any constitutional change in conflict with Federal law, including the U.S. Constitution.
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Flowchart of the\u00a0Constitutional Convention Process<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/newyork.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Visio-ConConProcessDiagram.jpg” alt=”New York’s Constitutional Convention Process” title_text=”Diagram of New York’s Constitutional Convention Process. If you use this, please attribute The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse.” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image NY ConCon Process” _builder_version=”3.23″ custom_margin=”0||0|” custom_css_main_element=”border-right-width: 0px;||border-left-width: 0px;||outline-color: black;||outline-style: solid;||outline-width: thin;||||\/*||margin-top: 5px;||padding-top: 5px;||padding: 10px;||border-radius: 10px;||border-color: white;||*\/||” border_width=”12px” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on” _builder_version=”3.23.4″ height=”18px” hide_on_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Featured” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left”]<\/p>\n
Featured<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nNovember 7, 2017.\u00a0 <\/strong>New York voters reject<\/a> calling a state constitutional convention by a margin of more than 50%. For an analysis of the defeat, including links to relevant news articles, see Snider, J.H., Post-Mortem: New York\u2019s Nov. 7, 2017 Referendum To Call A Constitutional Convention<\/a>, November 8, 2017.<\/p>\nNovember 3, 2017. <\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0New York\u2019s Con Con Ballot is Biased<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>, November 3, 2017.<\/p>\nOctober 31, 2017.\u00a0 <\/strong>NYPeoplesConvention.org launches Your Official Guide to the NYS Constitutional Convention Vote<\/a>.<\/p>\nOctober 26, 2017.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Snider, J.H., A con-con is a check on legislative corruption<\/a>,\u00a0Albany Times Union<\/em>, October 26, 2017.<\/p>\nOctober 24, 2017.<\/strong> New Yorkers Against Corruption launches its broadcast TV & radio campaign.\u00a0 See the TV ads under the Pro & Con–Video Ads<\/a> menu item.<\/p>\nOctober 23, 2017. <\/strong>Launch of the New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse’s compendium of New York constitutional convention ads<\/a>.<\/p>\nOctober 23, 2017.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., 11th-Hour Barrage: Why Opponents Attack The Constitutional Convention Process\u2014Not Its Substance<\/a>,\u00a0City & State<\/em>, October 23, 2017, pp. 20-1.\u00a0Republished as Dueling Experts, Part II: The Pros and Cons of Con Con<\/a>, October 25, 2017.<\/p>\nOctober 15, 2017.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,The Historical Antecedents for New York\u2019s ConCon Debate<\/a>, City & State<\/em>, October 15, 2017.<\/p>\nOctober 12, 2017.\u00a0 <\/strong>2nd round of campaign finance disclosures are now out.\u00a0 See\u00a0<\/strong>Mahoney, Bill,\u00a0Dark money shows up in constitutional convention debate<\/a>,\u00a0Politico New York, October 12, 2017.<\/p>\nOctober 6, 2017.<\/strong>\u00a0 Rockefeller Institute report,\u00a0The Citizens\u2019 Guide to the Constitutional Convention<\/a>, compiles previously published articles, mostly by the Institute’s blog. Congrats to three contributors\u2013Gerald Benjamin, Peter Galie, and Christopher Bopst\u2013who are alumni board members of iSolon.org, this website’s parent organization.<\/p>\nSeptember 28, 2017. <\/strong>Politico New York<\/em> confirms<\/a> that in the final stretch of the election none of New York’s six statewide elected officials will speak out publicly in favor of a state constitutional convention and the only one who once did so, Governor Cuomo, has long since stopped doing so for compelling political reasons.<\/p>\nSeptember 26, 2017. <\/strong>Rockefeller Institute report summarizes\u00a0One Hundred and Six Ideas for Constitutional Change<\/a>.<\/p>\nSeptember 20, 2017.<\/strong> Generation Citizen releases a well-balanced lesson plan, New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>, for 8th to 12th grade New York students. How it will actually be used remains an open question. The lesson plan is likely to be the first time New York students will have heard that they have a state constitution and a constitutional convention process to change it.<\/p>\nSeptember 19, 2017.<\/strong> New York State Bar Association launches<\/a> campaign to support calling a state constitutional convention.<\/p>\nSeptember 13, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., Don’t trust a Constitutional Convention? Then you don’t trust the people<\/a>,\u00a0U.S.A. Today Network<\/em>, September 13, 2017.\u00a0\u00a0The U.S.A. Today Network<\/em> also published a video version of the op-ed that they are running in their New York State papers: Trust New Yorkers? Then trust a Constitutional Convention<\/a>, September 13, 2017.<\/p>\nSeptember 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Why Foes Of A State Constitutional Convention Have The Upper Hand<\/a>,\u00a0City & State<\/em>, September 10, 2017.<\/p>\nAugust 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Evan Davis, head of the Committee for a Constitutional Convention<\/a>, files suit<\/a> against the New York State Board of Elections to obtain a court order requiring the question whether to call a state constitutional convention to be placed on the front rather on the back of the ballot this November. A summary of the suit can be found here<\/a>. On August 24, a lower court judge dismissed<\/a> the suit.<\/p>\nJuly 17, 2017. <\/strong>The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse issues a press release<\/a>, picked up<\/a>\u00a0by the Wall Street Journal, reporting on the first campaign finance disclosure reports by committees for and against the Nov. 7, 2017 constitutional convention referendum. See also:\u00a0<\/i>Convention opponents assail ‘special interests’ while spending big bucks<\/a>, Politico New York, August 22, 2017.<\/p>\nJuly 12, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., Pension Issue Surreptitiously Drives New York ConCon Politics<\/a>, City & State<\/em>, July 12, 2017.<\/p>\nJune 19, 2017.<\/strong>\u00a0 New Yorkers Against Corruption<\/a>, a NYSUT organized coalition, announces<\/a> that it has put together a group of more than 100 coalition partners. \u00a0NYSUT claims: “New Yorkers Against Corruption (NYAC) is an unprecedented alliance of progressive activists, conservatives, environmentalists and labor organizations.” It is unclear how “unprecedented” is defined here, as the no coalition is arguably less diverse than the similar coalition in 1997 and no coalitions in other states with convention referendums. However, by Nov. 7, 2017, the no coalition may be able to catch up with its predecessors and peer groups.<\/p>\nJune 17, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State Bar Association endorses<\/a> a yes vote on the state constitutional convention referendum. Its April 20, 2017 report on the upcoming referendum is listed below.<\/p>\nJune 14, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York City Bar Association endorses<\/a> a yes vote on the state constitutional convention referendum. For the explanation of the Bar’s support, see Report of the The New York City Bar Association Task Force on the New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>, June 14, 2017.<\/p>\nJune 10, 2017. <\/strong>Snider, J.H., Opportunity for Reform; Educate New Yorkers on constitutional convention<\/a>, Times Union<\/em>, June 10, 2017. This op-ed summarizes the argument about dysfunctional constitutional convention politics in Does the World Really Belong to the Living? The Decline of the Constitutional Convention in New York and Other US States, 1776\u20132015<\/a>,\u00a0Journal of American Political Thought<\/em>, Volume 6 (Spring 2017).<\/p>\nMay 30, 2017. <\/strong>Newsday<\/em>, New York’s fourth largest newspaper, stops just short<\/a> of an outright endorsement of a yes vote.<\/p>\nMay 22, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>The New York Daily News<\/em>, New York’s second largest newspaper, endorses<\/a> a yes vote on the state constitutional convention referendum.<\/p>\nApril 21, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., A Constitutional Right to Healthy Schools?<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>, April 21, 2017.<\/p>\nApril 20, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on the New York State Constitution releases its Report and Recommendations Concerning Whether New Yorkers Should Approve the 2017 Ballot Question Calling for a Constitutional Convention<\/a>.<\/p>\nApril 20, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Snider, J.H., Book Review: the New York State Bar Association’s “The Making of a Modern Constitution,”<\/a> It’s a Long Road to Constitutional Valhalla<\/em>.\u00a0Albany\u2019s insular, mutual backscratching, public policy community led to this book’s ethical failings–but that shouldn’t deter readers.<\/p>\nApril 12, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Does the World Really Belong to the Living? The Decline of the Constitutional Convention in New York and Other US States, 1776\u20132015<\/a>, Journal of American Political Thought<\/em>, Volume 6 (Spring 2017). During the spring and summer of 2015, this article was widely distributed among local opinion leaders, helping to jumpstart and frame\u00a0the state constitutional convention debate in New York State.<\/p>\nMarch 27, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>League of Women Voters of New York State Announces Support for 2017 Constitutional Convention Ballot Question<\/a>. This is noteworthy, as it is the first time in decades that a state chapter\u00a0has endorsed voting yes on a periodic state constitutional convention referendum.<\/p>\nMarch 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., Needed: Fresh Eyes to Improve New York\u2019s Constitution (Part II)<\/a>,\u00a0Gotham Gazette, March 10, 2017.<\/em><\/p>\nMarch 3, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Snider, J.H., Needed: Fresh Eyes to Improve New York\u2019s Constitution–Part 1<\/a>,\u00a0Gotham Gazett<\/em>e, March 3, 2017.<\/p>\nFebruary 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>The\u00a0<\/strong>Independent Democratic Conference, a coalition of legislators in the New York State Assembly, announces that it will work with unions and other groups to oppose the call for a state constitutional convention. \u00a0See the release of its report, Union Strong<\/a>, as well as the accompanying press release, Unions and Independent Democratic Conference members stand together against national right-to-work legislation and release four-point protection plan for New York State workers<\/a>.<\/p>\nJanuary 17, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Governor Cuomo Conspicuously Omits New York\u2019s Upcoming Concon Referendum in his State of the State Address<\/a>, It’s a Long Road to Constitutional Valhalla<\/em>.<\/p>\nJanuary 7, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Committee for a Constitutional Convention<\/a> formed to support a yes vote on calling a state constitutional convention.<\/p>\nJanuary 7, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Conservative Party of New York State<\/a> passes\u00a0a resolution and issues a press release<\/a> calling on voters to reject\u00a0the ballot question calling for a Constitutional Convention.<\/p>\nDecember 5, 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0 Snider, J.H.,\u00a0New York Needs a Political Primer on the State Constitutional Convention Referendum<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>. \u00a0This is a reprint in a more accessible format of the introductory essay\u00a0to the symposium cited below.<\/p>\nDecember 1, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State League of Women Voters provides\u00a0materials<\/a> to its local chapters on the upcoming referendum. The State League is not taking a pro or con position<\/a>\u00a0on the referendum.<\/p>\nNovember 28, 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0 Symposium on The Politics of State Constitutional Reform<\/a>, Law and Courts Section of the American Political Science Association, Fall 2016 Issue. \u00a0Essays by J.H. Snider, Sanford Levinson, John Dinan, and Carol Weissert based on their short course presentations (see August 31, 2016 entry below).<\/p>\nNovember 17, 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Snider, J.H.,\u00a0The Best Delegate Election Process for a New York Constitutional Convention<\/a>,\u00a0Gotham Gazette<\/em>, November 17, 2016.<\/p>\nNovember 15, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0New York’s Broken Constitution: The Governance Crisis and the Path to Renewed Greatness<\/em><\/a>, SUNY Press. Congratulations to the\u00a0three co-editors of this book–Gerald Benjamin, Peter Galie, and Christopher Bopst–who have served as board members of iSolon.org, the parent organization of The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse.<\/p>\nSeptember 12, 2016.\u00a0 <\/strong>At its annual meeting, Citizens Union, New York’s oldest good government group, launches<\/a> its campaign for a yes vote\u00a0on\u00a0 New York’s upcoming state constitutional convention referendum.<\/p>\nAugust 31, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0J.H. Snider presents a short course, A Political Primer on the Periodic State Constitutional Convention Referendum<\/a>, at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Philadelphia Convention Center, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.\u00a0\u00a0The course covers all fourteen states with the periodic state constitutional convention referendum, not just New York State.\u00a0 Part of the course includes TV documentaries and ads, which can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\nAugust 3, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on the New York State Constitutoin releases its report <\/a>(approved by the Bar Association on Nov. 5, 2016) on the conservation article (Article XIV) in New York State’s Constitution.<\/p>\nJune 19, 2016. \u00a0<\/strong>During an interview<\/a> with the New York Times<\/em> after the 2016 state legislative session ended, Governor Andrew Cuomo blames the legislature for\u00a0his failure to get\u00a0key ethics reforms passed:\u00a0“Mr. Cuomo added that the only way to solve the problem was a constitutional convention. ‘The people are going to have to do it,’ he said.”<\/p>\nJune 11, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0Bill Samuels Launches<\/a> Campaign to Innovate and Reform Albany with Radio Series on 2017 Constitution Vote.<\/p>\nMay 16, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0WCNY launches<\/a> 6-part series on potential issues a New York State\u00a0constitutional convention could address. \u00a0J.H. Snider proposed this documentary to\u00a0iSolon.org Board Member Gerald Benjamin, who set up a meeting to discuss it with the Rockefeller Institute’s Bob Bullock on April 16, 2015.<\/p>\nMarch 25, 2016. \u00a0<\/a><\/strong>Can a NYS Constitutional Convention Strengthen Government Ethics?<\/a> at Albany Law School. \u00a0A two-and-a-half hour discussion by some of New York’s \u00a0leading thinkers on this question. \u00a0The video is here<\/a>.<\/p>\nMarch 24, 2016. <\/strong>\u00a0Snider, J.H.,\u00a0New York’s Coming ConCon Battle<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>, March 24, 2016.<\/p>\nMarch 3, 2016. \u00a0<\/strong>The New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG) and the League of Women Voters of New York State release\u00a0A Brief Guide to the New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>. \u00a0It includes a fun and informative graphic road map describing the state constitutional convention process.<\/p>\nJanuary 28, 2016. \u00a0<\/strong>Citizens Union announces<\/a> its support for a constitutional convention, including setting up a coalition of supporters.<\/p>\nJanuary 19, 2016. <\/strong>Snider, J.H.\u00a0Cuomo\u2019s Preparatory Commission Should Prioritize Fixing ConCon Process<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>.<\/p>\nJanuary 13, 2016. <\/strong>\u00a0In his State of the State address<\/a> to the New York Legislature,\u00a0Governor Cuomo endorses convening a state constitutional convention (listen to 128:46 to 129:23). In the accompanying policy blueprint<\/a>, he also\u00a0endorses convening a preparatory commission: “The Governor will invest $1 million to create an expert, non-partisan commission to develop a blueprint for a convention.”<\/p>\nDecember 7, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Rockefeller Institute and New York State Bar Association host\u00a0constitutional convention “boot camp.”<\/a><\/p>\nNovember 23, 2015.<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Citizens Union, Reinvent Albany,\u00a0New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG), League of Women Voters of New York State, and other good government groups jointly write<\/a> to\u00a0Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to reform the constitutional convention delegate selection process.<\/p>\nNovember 22, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Board, independent of Legislature, key to constitution fix<\/a>,\u00a0Albany Times Union<\/em>.<\/p>\nNovember 13, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>New York State Bar Association Calls on State Government to Prepare Now for Statewide Vote on State Constitution in 2017<\/a>, New York State Bar Association Press Release. \u00a0See video<\/a> below and report<\/a>\u00a0that accompanies the press release.<\/p>\nOctober 13, 2015.<\/strong> \u00a0New York City Bar Association Convenes Task Force on New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>, New York City Bar Association Press Release..<\/p>\nSeptember 24, 2015.<\/strong>\u00a0 “Brainstorming a Public History and Civic Participation Agenda for New York\u2019s Nov. 2017 Constitutional Convention Referendum.” \u00a0iSolon.org conference hosted at the New York Council for the Humanities, Manhattan. \u00a0Covered<\/a>\u00a0in the New York History Blog<\/em>.<\/p>\nSeptember 14, 2015.<\/strong> \u00a0Citizen Groups Create Multiyear Campaign to Promote Awareness of the 2017 NYS Constitutional Convention Vote<\/a>, Rockefeller Institute Press Release, September 14, 2015.<\/p>\nAugust 24, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0<\/strong>Convention a basic N.Y. right<\/a>, Albany Times Union<\/em>.<\/p>\nJuly 24, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>New York State Bar Association President Miranda Forms\u00a0Committee To Study NYS\u00a0Constitution<\/a>, New York State Bar Association Press Release. \u00a0See video<\/a> below that accompanies the press release.<\/p>\nJuly 1, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Editorial,\u00a0New York can still fix this<\/a>, Albany Times Union<\/em>.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Click to read New York’s Constitution<\/p><\/div>\n
The unique democratic purpose of New York\u2019s periodic constitutional convention referendum is to implement New Yorkers\u2019 inalienable right to alter their constitution in cases where the interests of the legislature and people conflict. New York’s Constitution\u00a0allows the people to exercise\u00a0this right once every twenty years. To realize\u00a0this democratic\u00a0purpose, a\u00a0convention must\u00a0be substantially independent of the legislature’s control. \u00a0For example, New York’s Constitution prohibits the legislature\u00a0from directly limiting\u00a0a convention\u2019s agenda. The agenda\u00a0is placed in the hands of the people\u00a0independently of the legislature. Democratic accountability is primarily sought\u00a0by granting the people three votes over the process:<\/p>\n
- \n
- to call a convention,<\/li>\n
- to elect delegates to a convention, and<\/li>\n
- to ratify any amendments a convention might propose for their consideration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The people\u00a0cannot ratify any constitutional change in conflict with Federal law, including the U.S. Constitution.
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Flowchart Header” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”15|||”]<\/p>\nFlowchart of the\u00a0Constitutional Convention Process<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/newyork.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Visio-ConConProcessDiagram.jpg” alt=”New York’s Constitutional Convention Process” title_text=”Diagram of New York’s Constitutional Convention Process. If you use this, please attribute The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse.” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image NY ConCon Process” _builder_version=”3.23″ custom_margin=”0||0|” custom_css_main_element=”border-right-width: 0px;||border-left-width: 0px;||outline-color: black;||outline-style: solid;||outline-width: thin;||||\/*||margin-top: 5px;||padding-top: 5px;||padding: 10px;||border-radius: 10px;||border-color: white;||*\/||” border_width=”12px” sticky=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on” _builder_version=”3.23.4″ height=”18px” hide_on_mobile=”on”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Featured” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left”]<\/p>\n
Featured<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
November 7, 2017.\u00a0 <\/strong>New York voters reject<\/a> calling a state constitutional convention by a margin of more than 50%. For an analysis of the defeat, including links to relevant news articles, see Snider, J.H., Post-Mortem: New York\u2019s Nov. 7, 2017 Referendum To Call A Constitutional Convention<\/a>, November 8, 2017.<\/p>\n
November 3, 2017. <\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0New York\u2019s Con Con Ballot is Biased<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>, November 3, 2017.<\/p>\n
October 31, 2017.\u00a0 <\/strong>NYPeoplesConvention.org launches Your Official Guide to the NYS Constitutional Convention Vote<\/a>.<\/p>\n
October 26, 2017.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Snider, J.H., A con-con is a check on legislative corruption<\/a>,\u00a0Albany Times Union<\/em>, October 26, 2017.<\/p>\n
October 24, 2017.<\/strong> New Yorkers Against Corruption launches its broadcast TV & radio campaign.\u00a0 See the TV ads under the Pro & Con–Video Ads<\/a> menu item.<\/p>\n
October 23, 2017. <\/strong>Launch of the New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse’s compendium of New York constitutional convention ads<\/a>.<\/p>\n
October 23, 2017.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., 11th-Hour Barrage: Why Opponents Attack The Constitutional Convention Process\u2014Not Its Substance<\/a>,\u00a0City & State<\/em>, October 23, 2017, pp. 20-1.\u00a0Republished as Dueling Experts, Part II: The Pros and Cons of Con Con<\/a>, October 25, 2017.<\/p>\n
October 15, 2017.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,The Historical Antecedents for New York\u2019s ConCon Debate<\/a>, City & State<\/em>, October 15, 2017.<\/p>\n
October 12, 2017.\u00a0 <\/strong>2nd round of campaign finance disclosures are now out.\u00a0 See\u00a0<\/strong>Mahoney, Bill,\u00a0Dark money shows up in constitutional convention debate<\/a>,\u00a0Politico New York, October 12, 2017.<\/p>\n
October 6, 2017.<\/strong>\u00a0 Rockefeller Institute report,\u00a0The Citizens\u2019 Guide to the Constitutional Convention<\/a>, compiles previously published articles, mostly by the Institute’s blog. Congrats to three contributors\u2013Gerald Benjamin, Peter Galie, and Christopher Bopst\u2013who are alumni board members of iSolon.org, this website’s parent organization.<\/p>\n
September 28, 2017. <\/strong>Politico New York<\/em> confirms<\/a> that in the final stretch of the election none of New York’s six statewide elected officials will speak out publicly in favor of a state constitutional convention and the only one who once did so, Governor Cuomo, has long since stopped doing so for compelling political reasons.<\/p>\n
September 26, 2017. <\/strong>Rockefeller Institute report summarizes\u00a0One Hundred and Six Ideas for Constitutional Change<\/a>.<\/p>\n
September 20, 2017.<\/strong> Generation Citizen releases a well-balanced lesson plan, New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>, for 8th to 12th grade New York students. How it will actually be used remains an open question. The lesson plan is likely to be the first time New York students will have heard that they have a state constitution and a constitutional convention process to change it.<\/p>\n
September 19, 2017.<\/strong> New York State Bar Association launches<\/a> campaign to support calling a state constitutional convention.<\/p>\n
September 13, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., Don’t trust a Constitutional Convention? Then you don’t trust the people<\/a>,\u00a0U.S.A. Today Network<\/em>, September 13, 2017.\u00a0\u00a0The U.S.A. Today Network<\/em> also published a video version of the op-ed that they are running in their New York State papers: Trust New Yorkers? Then trust a Constitutional Convention<\/a>, September 13, 2017.<\/p>\n
September 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Why Foes Of A State Constitutional Convention Have The Upper Hand<\/a>,\u00a0City & State<\/em>, September 10, 2017.<\/p>\n
August 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Evan Davis, head of the Committee for a Constitutional Convention<\/a>, files suit<\/a> against the New York State Board of Elections to obtain a court order requiring the question whether to call a state constitutional convention to be placed on the front rather on the back of the ballot this November. A summary of the suit can be found here<\/a>. On August 24, a lower court judge dismissed<\/a> the suit.<\/p>\n
July 17, 2017. <\/strong>The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse issues a press release<\/a>, picked up<\/a>\u00a0by the Wall Street Journal, reporting on the first campaign finance disclosure reports by committees for and against the Nov. 7, 2017 constitutional convention referendum. See also:\u00a0<\/i>Convention opponents assail ‘special interests’ while spending big bucks<\/a>, Politico New York, August 22, 2017.<\/p>\n
July 12, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., Pension Issue Surreptitiously Drives New York ConCon Politics<\/a>, City & State<\/em>, July 12, 2017.<\/p>\n
June 19, 2017.<\/strong>\u00a0 New Yorkers Against Corruption<\/a>, a NYSUT organized coalition, announces<\/a> that it has put together a group of more than 100 coalition partners. \u00a0NYSUT claims: “New Yorkers Against Corruption (NYAC) is an unprecedented alliance of progressive activists, conservatives, environmentalists and labor organizations.” It is unclear how “unprecedented” is defined here, as the no coalition is arguably less diverse than the similar coalition in 1997 and no coalitions in other states with convention referendums. However, by Nov. 7, 2017, the no coalition may be able to catch up with its predecessors and peer groups.<\/p>\n
June 17, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State Bar Association endorses<\/a> a yes vote on the state constitutional convention referendum. Its April 20, 2017 report on the upcoming referendum is listed below.<\/p>\n
June 14, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York City Bar Association endorses<\/a> a yes vote on the state constitutional convention referendum. For the explanation of the Bar’s support, see Report of the The New York City Bar Association Task Force on the New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>, June 14, 2017.<\/p>\n
June 10, 2017. <\/strong>Snider, J.H., Opportunity for Reform; Educate New Yorkers on constitutional convention<\/a>, Times Union<\/em>, June 10, 2017. This op-ed summarizes the argument about dysfunctional constitutional convention politics in Does the World Really Belong to the Living? The Decline of the Constitutional Convention in New York and Other US States, 1776\u20132015<\/a>,\u00a0Journal of American Political Thought<\/em>, Volume 6 (Spring 2017).<\/p>\n
May 30, 2017. <\/strong>Newsday<\/em>, New York’s fourth largest newspaper, stops just short<\/a> of an outright endorsement of a yes vote.<\/p>\n
May 22, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>The New York Daily News<\/em>, New York’s second largest newspaper, endorses<\/a> a yes vote on the state constitutional convention referendum.<\/p>\n
April 21, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., A Constitutional Right to Healthy Schools?<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>, April 21, 2017.<\/p>\n
April 20, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on the New York State Constitution releases its Report and Recommendations Concerning Whether New Yorkers Should Approve the 2017 Ballot Question Calling for a Constitutional Convention<\/a>.<\/p>\n
April 20, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Snider, J.H., Book Review: the New York State Bar Association’s “The Making of a Modern Constitution,”<\/a> It’s a Long Road to Constitutional Valhalla<\/em>.\u00a0Albany\u2019s insular, mutual backscratching, public policy community led to this book’s ethical failings–but that shouldn’t deter readers.<\/p>\n
April 12, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Does the World Really Belong to the Living? The Decline of the Constitutional Convention in New York and Other US States, 1776\u20132015<\/a>, Journal of American Political Thought<\/em>, Volume 6 (Spring 2017). During the spring and summer of 2015, this article was widely distributed among local opinion leaders, helping to jumpstart and frame\u00a0the state constitutional convention debate in New York State.<\/p>\n
March 27, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>League of Women Voters of New York State Announces Support for 2017 Constitutional Convention Ballot Question<\/a>. This is noteworthy, as it is the first time in decades that a state chapter\u00a0has endorsed voting yes on a periodic state constitutional convention referendum.<\/p>\n
March 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H., Needed: Fresh Eyes to Improve New York\u2019s Constitution (Part II)<\/a>,\u00a0Gotham Gazette, March 10, 2017.<\/em><\/p>\n
March 3, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Snider, J.H., Needed: Fresh Eyes to Improve New York\u2019s Constitution–Part 1<\/a>,\u00a0Gotham Gazett<\/em>e, March 3, 2017.<\/p>\n
February 10, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>The\u00a0<\/strong>Independent Democratic Conference, a coalition of legislators in the New York State Assembly, announces that it will work with unions and other groups to oppose the call for a state constitutional convention. \u00a0See the release of its report, Union Strong<\/a>, as well as the accompanying press release, Unions and Independent Democratic Conference members stand together against national right-to-work legislation and release four-point protection plan for New York State workers<\/a>.<\/p>\n
January 17, 2017. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Governor Cuomo Conspicuously Omits New York\u2019s Upcoming Concon Referendum in his State of the State Address<\/a>, It’s a Long Road to Constitutional Valhalla<\/em>.<\/p>\n
January 7, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Committee for a Constitutional Convention<\/a> formed to support a yes vote on calling a state constitutional convention.<\/p>\n
January 7, 2017.<\/strong> \u00a0Conservative Party of New York State<\/a> passes\u00a0a resolution and issues a press release<\/a> calling on voters to reject\u00a0the ballot question calling for a Constitutional Convention.<\/p>\n
December 5, 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0 Snider, J.H.,\u00a0New York Needs a Political Primer on the State Constitutional Convention Referendum<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>. \u00a0This is a reprint in a more accessible format of the introductory essay\u00a0to the symposium cited below.<\/p>\n
December 1, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State League of Women Voters provides\u00a0materials<\/a> to its local chapters on the upcoming referendum. The State League is not taking a pro or con position<\/a>\u00a0on the referendum.<\/p>\n
November 28, 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0 Symposium on The Politics of State Constitutional Reform<\/a>, Law and Courts Section of the American Political Science Association, Fall 2016 Issue. \u00a0Essays by J.H. Snider, Sanford Levinson, John Dinan, and Carol Weissert based on their short course presentations (see August 31, 2016 entry below).<\/p>\n
November 17, 2016.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Snider, J.H.,\u00a0The Best Delegate Election Process for a New York Constitutional Convention<\/a>,\u00a0Gotham Gazette<\/em>, November 17, 2016.<\/p>\n
November 15, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0New York’s Broken Constitution: The Governance Crisis and the Path to Renewed Greatness<\/em><\/a>, SUNY Press. Congratulations to the\u00a0three co-editors of this book–Gerald Benjamin, Peter Galie, and Christopher Bopst–who have served as board members of iSolon.org, the parent organization of The New York State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse.<\/p>\n
September 12, 2016.\u00a0 <\/strong>At its annual meeting, Citizens Union, New York’s oldest good government group, launches<\/a> its campaign for a yes vote\u00a0on\u00a0 New York’s upcoming state constitutional convention referendum.<\/p>\n
August 31, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0J.H. Snider presents a short course, A Political Primer on the Periodic State Constitutional Convention Referendum<\/a>, at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Philadelphia Convention Center, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.\u00a0\u00a0The course covers all fourteen states with the periodic state constitutional convention referendum, not just New York State.\u00a0 Part of the course includes TV documentaries and ads, which can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
August 3, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on the New York State Constitutoin releases its report <\/a>(approved by the Bar Association on Nov. 5, 2016) on the conservation article (Article XIV) in New York State’s Constitution.<\/p>\n
June 19, 2016. \u00a0<\/strong>During an interview<\/a> with the New York Times<\/em> after the 2016 state legislative session ended, Governor Andrew Cuomo blames the legislature for\u00a0his failure to get\u00a0key ethics reforms passed:\u00a0“Mr. Cuomo added that the only way to solve the problem was a constitutional convention. ‘The people are going to have to do it,’ he said.”<\/p>\n
June 11, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0Bill Samuels Launches<\/a> Campaign to Innovate and Reform Albany with Radio Series on 2017 Constitution Vote.<\/p>\n
May 16, 2016.<\/strong> \u00a0WCNY launches<\/a> 6-part series on potential issues a New York State\u00a0constitutional convention could address. \u00a0J.H. Snider proposed this documentary to\u00a0iSolon.org Board Member Gerald Benjamin, who set up a meeting to discuss it with the Rockefeller Institute’s Bob Bullock on April 16, 2015.<\/p>\n
March 25, 2016. \u00a0<\/a><\/strong>Can a NYS Constitutional Convention Strengthen Government Ethics?<\/a> at Albany Law School. \u00a0A two-and-a-half hour discussion by some of New York’s \u00a0leading thinkers on this question. \u00a0The video is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
March 24, 2016. <\/strong>\u00a0Snider, J.H.,\u00a0New York’s Coming ConCon Battle<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>, March 24, 2016.<\/p>\n
March 3, 2016. \u00a0<\/strong>The New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG) and the League of Women Voters of New York State release\u00a0A Brief Guide to the New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>. \u00a0It includes a fun and informative graphic road map describing the state constitutional convention process.<\/p>\n
January 28, 2016. \u00a0<\/strong>Citizens Union announces<\/a> its support for a constitutional convention, including setting up a coalition of supporters.<\/p>\n
January 19, 2016. <\/strong>Snider, J.H.\u00a0Cuomo\u2019s Preparatory Commission Should Prioritize Fixing ConCon Process<\/a>, Gotham Gazette<\/em>.<\/p>\n
January 13, 2016. <\/strong>\u00a0In his State of the State address<\/a> to the New York Legislature,\u00a0Governor Cuomo endorses convening a state constitutional convention (listen to 128:46 to 129:23). In the accompanying policy blueprint<\/a>, he also\u00a0endorses convening a preparatory commission: “The Governor will invest $1 million to create an expert, non-partisan commission to develop a blueprint for a convention.”<\/p>\n
December 7, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Rockefeller Institute and New York State Bar Association host\u00a0constitutional convention “boot camp.”<\/a><\/p>\n
November 23, 2015.<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Citizens Union, Reinvent Albany,\u00a0New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG), League of Women Voters of New York State, and other good government groups jointly write<\/a> to\u00a0Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to reform the constitutional convention delegate selection process.<\/p>\n
November 22, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0Board, independent of Legislature, key to constitution fix<\/a>,\u00a0Albany Times Union<\/em>.<\/p>\n
November 13, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>New York State Bar Association Calls on State Government to Prepare Now for Statewide Vote on State Constitution in 2017<\/a>, New York State Bar Association Press Release. \u00a0See video<\/a> below and report<\/a>\u00a0that accompanies the press release.<\/p>\n
October 13, 2015.<\/strong> \u00a0New York City Bar Association Convenes Task Force on New York State Constitutional Convention<\/a>, New York City Bar Association Press Release..<\/p>\n
September 24, 2015.<\/strong>\u00a0 “Brainstorming a Public History and Civic Participation Agenda for New York\u2019s Nov. 2017 Constitutional Convention Referendum.” \u00a0iSolon.org conference hosted at the New York Council for the Humanities, Manhattan. \u00a0Covered<\/a>\u00a0in the New York History Blog<\/em>.<\/p>\n
September 14, 2015.<\/strong> \u00a0Citizen Groups Create Multiyear Campaign to Promote Awareness of the 2017 NYS Constitutional Convention Vote<\/a>, Rockefeller Institute Press Release, September 14, 2015.<\/p>\n
August 24, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Snider, J.H.,\u00a0<\/strong>Convention a basic N.Y. right<\/a>, Albany Times Union<\/em>.<\/p>\n
July 24, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>New York State Bar Association President Miranda Forms\u00a0Committee To Study NYS\u00a0Constitution<\/a>, New York State Bar Association Press Release. \u00a0See video<\/a> below that accompanies the press release.<\/p>\n
July 1, 2015. \u00a0<\/strong>Editorial,\u00a0New York can still fix this<\/a>, Albany Times Union<\/em>.<\/p>\n