Some LI pols favor a state constitutional convention

Assembly Republicans held a town hall meeting on April 29 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hicksville calling on voters to call for a New York State Constitutional Convention next year.
   
Around 60 people showed up to the afternoon meeting led by Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, a Republican from Canandaigua, who has been traveling the state in support of the measure.
   
The option to call a state constitutional convention is put on the ballot every 20 years. Voters did not approve one last time, in 1997. The next scheduled vote is 2017 if not convened earlier.

   
“If you like the status quo then you won’t like this proposal,” said Kolb, who was also joined by Assemblymen Tom McKevitt (R-East Meadow), Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) and Michael Montesano (R-Glen Head). Though no Democratic legislators were at the meeting, Kolb said there is bipartisan support for the measure.
   
A convention would consist of 201 citizen delegates. Any registered voter is eligible to run with a petition with 1,000 signatures. Elected officials are not permitted to hold concurrent posts. To participate, they would have to step down from public office. 
   
A convention agenda is set by delegates, and any proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by a statewide vote.
  
Kolb said it should address property taxes, debt reform, state spending caps and unfunded state mandates among others. A convention could take several months to a year and could cost up to $30 million.
   
"We can't afford not to," he said.