For your consideration…-ballot questions for the fall.

[hrmjustin]

By James Gormley
New York state voters will be asked to approve two constitutional amendments and a $2 billion bond when they go to the polls in November.

One proposed amendment will permit the electronic distribution of legislation to state lawmakers in lieu of the printed bills that are currently required to sit on their desks for three days prior to voting on them.

Another proposed amendment will ask voters to change the way lawmakers draw their legislative districts.

A third question on the ballot will ask voters to allow the state to borrow $2 billion to fund a "smart schools" initiative that would fund the purchase and installation of interactive whiteboards, computer servers, and desktop, laptop and tablet computers in classrooms; pay for high-speed wireless Internet connections; build and refurbish new classroom space to accommodate more pre-kindergarten classes; and install more security features on school grounds.


http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-08-11-88849.113122-For-your-consideration.html

[hrmjustin]

1. Watchdogs not happy with ballot language on redistricting ‘reform’

By James Gormley

Good government groups are not happy with the final language of a ballot proposition that would change the state Constitution as it relates to redistricting.

Voters will be asked to approve changes to the process by which legislative districts are redrawn every ten years following the release of new census data. But government watchdogs such as the New York Public Interest Research Group notes the ballot proposal refers to the redistricting commission as 'independent' even though its members will be appointed by members of the Legislature.

"In addition to using language that surely will be almost incomprehensible to most voters, the state Board of Elections approved ballot proposal language that inaccurately describes the proposed Redistricting Commission as 'independent,' a gross mischaracterization of a panel to be chosen by self-interested legislative leaders," said Blair Horner, the legislative director of NYPIRG. "We have no idea how the Board came to that conclusion."

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-08-11-88850.113122-Watchdogs-not-happy-with-ballot-language-on-redistricting-reform.html

[hrmjustin]

2. Forum on redistricting proposition to be held in September

http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2014/08/12/forum-on-redistricting-proposition-to-be-held-in-september/