Assembly Minority Leader Puts Price on Constitutional Convention

ALBANY, NY (09/28/2009)(readMedia)-- NYS Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) estimates a constitutional convention lasting 22 weeks would cost between $12 and $15 million, but justifies the cost as the best way to change the status quo.

"It boils down to a $12 to $15 million cost versus $8.5 billion in new taxes and fees... you pick," Kolb stated in an interview posted today on the Empire Page website posted.

Kolb does not believe partisan considerations would prevent a "People's Convention" from addressing "reforms like an independent legislative redistricting commission, a succession plan for state offices, term limits for Legislative Leaders, initiative and referendum, debt reform and a property and state spending cap."

In case it does not approve an early convention Kolb agreed that the Legislature should start working on an amendment to the existing constitution to "ensure a clear succession plan where voters choose their Lieutenant Governor, not a political appointee." Before going to the voters a proposed amendment must pass both houses in two successive legislative sessions.

The entire interview with Kolb is available in the Improving New York section of The Empire Page.

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