Editorial - Smithtown Matters On NYS Ballot Proposals

Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 4 is fast approaching. In this day and age voters have access to a lot of information so vote wisely on the ballot proposals which will be found on the back of your ballot.  

LWV info on 2014 Ballot Proposals

There are five ballot proposals. Three New York State Proposals and two Suffolk County Proposals. 

SMITHTOWNMATTERS’ EDITORIAL POSITION ON NYS BALLOT PROPOSALS -

NYS Ballot Proposal #1 is about the drawing the state’s electoral map.  This is being touted as a step forward to the political gerrymandering that currently takes place.  State residents were promised an independent commission.  “Under the proposed amendment to the State Constitution, the commission will consist of ten non-legislative members: eight members who are appointed by the four legislative leaders and two members appointed by the original eight, who cannot have been enrolled in either of the two major parties in the preceding five years. The amendment would prohibit certain individuals from serving on the commission, including: any person who has served in the New York state legislature in the last three years, statewide elected officials, members of Congress, spouses of these groups, legislators’ staff, lobbyists, state officers or employees and party chairs.” (LWV)

The new plan is supported by many who think that a small step in the right direction is enough.   It is not.

SMITHTOWN MATTERS URGES A NO VOTE ON NYS PROPOSAL #1

NYS Ballot Proposal # 2 is a no brainer. A yes vote will allow for our NYS elected officials to receive bills electronically. This is a faster and more environmental way of handling the 1,000 plus pieces of legislation that routinely cross an officials desk. A digital bill may be read on line or printed according to the legislator’s preference.

SMITHTOWN MATTERS SUPPORTS NYS PROPOSAL #2

NYS Ballot Proposal #3 - The NYS Bonds for School Technology Act - A yes vote would allow NYS to borrow up to $2 billion for Pre K classrooms and to modernize classroom technology.  There is very little support for this proposal outside of NYC.  The technology will be outdated well before the bonds are paid off. Borrowing $2 billion puts the state close to it borrowing limit.

SMITHTOWN MATTERS URGES A NO VOTE ON NYS PROPOSAL #3

Pat