Tuesday November 4th Election Day - Here's Who and What is on your ballot!

November 4th Election Day!

Who's Running?

For Governor and Lt. Governor

Andrew M. Cuomo/Kathy C. Hochul

[Democrat Party, Independence Party, Women's Equality Party, Working Families Party]

Rob Astorino/Chris Moss

[Republican Party, Conservative Party, Stop Common Core Party]

Howie Hawkins/Brian P. Jones

[Green Party]

Michael McDemott/Chris Edes

[Libertarian Party]

Stephen Cohn/Bobby K. Kalotee

[Sapient Party]

For State Comptroller

Thomas P. DiNapoli

[Democrat Party, Independence Party, Women's Equality Party, Working Families Party]

Robert Antonacci

[Republican Party, Conservative Party, Stop Common Core Party]

Theresa Portelli

[Green Party]

John Clifton

[Libertarian Party]

For Attorney General

Eric T. Schneiderman

[Democrat Party, Independence Party, Women's Equality Party, Working Families Party]

John Cahill

[Republican Party, Conservative Party, Stop Common Core Party]

Ramon Jimenez

[Green Party]

Carl E. Person

[Libertarian Party]

Congressional District 5

Gregory W. Meeks

[Democrat Party]

Allen F. Steinhardt

[Allen4Congress]

Senate District 15

Jospeh P. Addabbo Jr.

[Democrat Party]

Michael Conigliaro

[Republican Party, Conservative Party]

Ballot Propositions

This Tuesday you will also be asked to vote "for" or "against" three proposed ballot propositions.

Proposal  #1:

Revising N.Y. State's Redistricting Procedures

Presently, state lawmakers handle redistricting a process which lends itself to manipulation of district lines so as to favor one party or class of individuals (gerrymandering) on the part of our lawmakers. 

This proposal would amend our state constitution and establish a commission to redraw legislative and congressional district lines, as required by the federal government, to account for population changes every 10 years.

You can read the full text of this Redistricting proposal in pdf form by clicking here.

Personal Comments Regarding this Proposal

Let's face facts - absent death, indictment, serious scandal or term limits, our incumbent legislators remain unchallenged.  Assigning sole discretion for redistricting in the hands of these "forever"  career politicians has effectively placed the fox inside the hen house, so of course, some modicum of objective and non-partisan reform of this process is sorely needed.

Unfortunately, after having read through the complete text of this proposition, the members of this newly established redistricting commission would be "appointed" by these very same lawmakers (career politicians) who have caused the problem in the first place. 

An argument to approve this proposition can be made that, although this proposed change is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction to reform the present redistricting process and effectively places the fox outside the hen house.

An argument against the proposition can also me made that, if passed, this "not perfect" reform would be locked into our state constitution for many years to come and although it may place the fox outside the hen house it leaves the door to the hen house unlocked with lawmakers controlling the committee appointees.

Proposal #2:

Permitting Electronic Distribution of State Legislative Bills

Another amendment to our state constitution which would remove the present requirement that bills be printed before lawmakers can vote on them.  Lawmakers would still need access to the bills for 3 days prior to voting but the legislation could be distributed in electronic form instead of being printed.

You can read the full text of this Electronic Distribution of Legislation proposal in pdf form by clicking here. 

Personal Comments Regarding this Proposal

Are you kidding me?  It's 2014 and our esteemed state legislative body is just now getting around to allow for digital processing of bills prior to discussion and vote to save time and paper?

In the real world this would be a no brainer...however, in the case of Albany, I would feel a whole lot better if the amendment carried language mandating each of our elected lawmakers to actually read and understand the content and import all all legislation prior to casting a vote on same.  Of course that would entail changing the ridiculous 3 day rule to something more rational (30-60 days) but that is not going to happen as the lawmakers will not want any outside media, organizations or individuals fully examining the legislation, and all amendments to same, prior to a vote.

Proposal #3

The Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014

This proposal would allow the state to borrow $2 billion for technology upgrades (high speed Internet access, laptops, tablets, white boards etc.) in school districts as well as the construction/renovation of pre-K classrooms, elimination of trailer classrooms in overcrowded schools, high-tech security upgrades and the like. 

You can read the full text of this Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014 in pdf form by clicking here.

Personal Comments Regarding this Proposal

Those in favor of this proposal quote our Governor as saying "This new technology means...that every child learns at his or her own pace; the students get the skills they need to succeed within the 21st century economy; they have access to advanced curses; parents and teachers can communicate; and teachers can access the assistance that they need..." 

Those against the proposal point out that in 2013, the graduation rate for students entering 9th grade and graduating 4 years later was 74.9% for N.Y. State and 63.9% in N.Y.C. and that unless education reform is addressed seriously, throwing more money at an already dysfunctional system will not result in any meaningful reform.