NEW YORK ELECTIONS
N.Y. needs an uprising
all right?

This editorial appeared in the Times Union:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/storyprint.asp?StoryID=925215

A coalition of reform groups which identifies
itself as "New York Uprising" wants to remove
the power to establish legislative districts from
the State Legislature to "an independent
nonpartisan commission." The editorial is in
favor.

"Taking the power to draw and manipulate
legislative districts away from self-interested
parties is one of the several critical steps
toward changing the political culture of new
York." opines the editorial.

Several other reforms are suggested, including
tougher campaign fundraising and spending
rules, public financing of campaigns and
legislators being required to disclose sources
of outside income.

At first glance, these appear to be reasonable
reforms of the political process worthy of
consideration.

However, a number of questions need to be
answered:

1. Who are these "reform groups" who have
formed this coalition?

2. An independent, nonpartisan commission
in New York? Is this possible? Who would
appoint this commission. Who would serve
on the commission? How "independent"
would such a commission really be?

3. Is the taking the power of draw election
districts and redistricting away from the
State Legislature constitutional?

The editorial notes that all 4 known
gubernatorial candidates have committed
to veto any version of redistricting reform
that doesn't require sensibly drawn
competitive districts for all 212 Assembly
and Senate seats."

The editorial leaps to the bold forecast:
"Expect the next governor to demand the
legislature to surrender its control over
the redistricting process."

A governor who is a creature of the
political process in New York is unlikely
to make such a demand. The legislature
is not likely to comply.

The solution to dysfunctional governments
that are encroaching on the personal
liberties of the people is to be found in
the position advocated by former NYC
Mayor, Ed Koch:

"This year...brings the opportunity of a
political lifetime to elect a better
legislature."

The key to electing a better legislature
lies with the voters, who must make the
effort to become informed and to cast
informed votes in the September party
primaries and November 2 General
Election.

The people we elect to public office
are a reflection of ourselves.

Joe Sullivan