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Citizen's Group Urges NY Senate to Take Historic Action
12.14.08
Citizens For a Better NY is urging State Senators to
take advantage of a fading opportunity and change their
operating rules now.
"New Yorkers face significant challenges in the coming years
regarding keeping their jobs, making do with declining tax
revenues, helping all our kids be successful in school, and
maintaining affordable health care. The success of our state
depends on citizens and our elected officials working
together for the common good." said Stuart Berger, of
Brighton, President of Citizens for a Better NY.
"Members of the Senate can become responsive to the needs of
citizens by opening up the legislative process so the
interests of all New Yorker's can be heard.", Berger said.
During its special session on December 15th, the Senate has
the opportunity to define the environment in which they'll
deal with the state's huge budget deficit. We
urge them to immediately adopt the key changes recommended
by the Brennan Center in 2004:
1. Strengthening the committee process;
2. Ending the stranglehold leadership has over bills getting
to the floor,
3. Institutionalizing the use of conference committees, and
4. Ending leadership control over resources and staff.
Adopting these changes means that cooperation and
collaboration take the place of partisanship.
"Senators: Change the rules now!", said Berger.
The organization has purchased an ad that appears on page 6
of the December 15th issue of the Legislative Gazette
mimicking a pharmaceutical ad and prescribing NY-AGRA as the
cure for "Governmental Dysfunction (GD)".
Contact:
Bob Volpe
1940 Highland Ave.
Rochester NY 14618
585-301-5579
www.cfbny.org
http://www.legislativegazette.com/back_issues/08-12-15_for_web.pdf
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Lawmakers: Put people before
politics
by Bob Volpe - Citizens for a Better New York -
Rochester, NY - November 12, 2008
Now is the time for Republicans to become statesmen and
act to change the state Senate rules to benefit all New
Yorkers. The GOP has had control of the Senate for more 40
years, but in January, the Democrats will take over.
Between now and then, the senators have the opportunity to
define the environment in which they’ll work, in which the
GOP will be the minority party.
We urge them to immediately adopt key changes recommended
by the Brennan Center for Justice in 2004:
• Strengthen the committee process.
• End leaders’ stranglehold over bills getting to the floor.
• Institutionalize the use of conference committees.
• End leadership control over resources and staff.
If these changes were adopted, cooperation and collaboration would
replace partisanship.
The Democrats could decide to change the rules back to a more restrictive
environment in January, but recent comments by current
Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith suggest a desire to
adopt the very changes cited above.
Senate Republicans now have the opportunity to respond to this overture,
which will have an impact on all future elections.
Gov. David Paterson recently announced that the new estimate for the
current year’s budget shortfall is $1.5 billion and $12.5
billion for next year’s budget deficit. He also announced
that an estimated 160,000 New Yorkers will lose their jobs.
With problems such as these, we can’t allow Albany to be
held hostage to the whims of just three men. Good ideas from
as many people as possible must be carried to open
deliberations in the Legislature by all its members.
On Nov. 18, the Legislature will meet in special session to deal with the
budget issues. Senate Republicans have a chance to begin to
make Albany more effective by ushering in a new spirit of
cooperation.
Tell your state senator you want to see a change in the Legislature
rules that will end the “three men in a room” type of
governance in Albany.
All New Yorkers face significant challenges — keeping their jobs, making
do with declining tax revenues, helping all our kids succeed
in school and reducing the burdensome impact of state debt.
Our state’s success depends on citizens and our lawmakers
working together for the common good. Tell Albany you want
your representatives all working together to meet these
challenges and advance the quality of our lives.
o
Volpe, of Rochester, is a member of the Executive Committee of
Citizens for a Better New York.
Citizen’s Group
Advises Voters: Your Albany Vote is Critical
November 2, 2008
Citizens For a Better NY is urging voters to send a
strong message to Albany legislators on Election Day.
“Voters have a chance to send a very clear message by
writing 'CHANGE NOW 'on their ballot for state offices. “The
real question is what will Albany legislators do to address
our state’s future most effectively?” What will they do to
deliver the vibrant state economy we all want?”, said Stuart
Berger, of Brighton, President of Citizens for a Better NY.
“Candidates are still bombarding voters with extravagant and
often misleading rhetoric. Their claims to have “brought
home the bacon” are really an admission of how unfair and
partisan the distribution of state resources has become.
Candidates are not addressing the real issue: Albany's need
to become responsive to the needs of citizens. The
real challenge for any candidate for state office is to open
up the legislative process so the interests of all New
Yorker’s can be heard.
Last Tuesday, the Governor announced that the current year’s
budget shortfall will be $1.5 billion and his forecast for
next year’s deficit is $12.5 billion. He also
announced that an estimated 160,000 New Yorkers will lose
their jobs. Good ideas from as many people as
possible must be openly deliberated in the legislature by
all of 150 our Assembly Members and all of our 62 Senators
regardless of party affiliation.
According to David Lum of Pittsford, a member of the group’s
Executive Committee, “We have a chance to make Albany more
effective. Take the time to evaluate the people
running. The real questions to ask are:
1: ‘How will you advance the common interests of all
New Yorker’s? by changing the rules of the legislature and
ending ‘Three Men in a Room’?” , and
2: "Will you support the public's interests over
special interests by changing the campaign finance laws?"
“Two things count for Albany legislators: campaign
contributions and votes. Make your vote be a loud and
strong message for change to overcome the influence of
special interest campaign money. If you think the
candidates’ answers to the 2 questions above aren’t good
enough, use your ballot as a protest vote by writing in
‘CHANGE NOW!’ in the write-in box above the line for their
office. Just slide open the door and write on the
paper. For more details on how to do this go to
www.cfbny.org.”
Said Bob Volpe of Rochester, another member of the group’s
leadership team.
“New Yorker’s face significant challenges in the coming
years regarding keeping jobs here, declining tax revenues,
helping all our kids be successful in school, and reducing
the burdensome impact of taxes and state debt. The success
of our state depends on citizens and our elected officials
working together for the common good. As a citizen, you
have a vital role: Tell Albany that you want the change that
will help us all to work together to advance the quality of
our lives,” said Berger.
Contact:
Bob Volpe
1940 Highland Ave.
Rochester NY 14618
585-301-5579
Bob is a member of the Executive committee of Citizens for a
Better New York
Citizens for Better
Government in New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 3, 2007
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| Citizens of New York
have petition presented in Albany by representatives of
Citizens for Better Government in New York on January 3,
2007. |
Citizens Present Petition
for Change to NY State Legislature
Exercising their constitutional right to petition the
government, representatives of Citizens for Better Government
in NY (CBGNY) presented petitions to the Assembly and Senate
calling for process changes that will make government more
open, fair, democratic, deliberative, transparent, effective,
and accountable to citizens. The petition, signed by citizens
from 172 communities in every region of the state, calls for
legislative process changes that will empower individual
legislators.
The State of the State address is the primary focus of
everyone today. However, we are in Albany to address the state
of the legislature. While our petition focuses on 3
significant reforms to return democracy and stop the decline
of New York, today we are here to demand 4 specific
legislative rules changes as recommended by the Brennan Center
of NYU Law School. These changes are:
1) Strengthen the committee process by creating mechanisms
for rank-and-file members to force hearings and vote on bills.
2) End leadership control over bills getting to the floor by
creating a mechanism for rank-and-file members to force floor
votes.
3) Institutionalize conference committees and,
4) Codify fair, objective criteria for allotting resources and
staff to members and committees.
“Voters have spoken by electing a reform-minded governor.
Now the citizens are called to pressure representatives to
reclaim from a dictatorial legislative leadership the power to
finally solve the real problems facing our state and represent
us instead of special interests,” said Rome Celli of Brighton,
Vice President of CBGNY. “We want the legislature to know that
people are expressing their demands for changes that will
empower individual legislators and end “Three Men in a Room”
as New York’s form of government.”, said Celli.
“Article One of the NY State Constitution guarantees
citizens the right to petition the government,” said Reginald
Neale of Farmington, CBGNY’s Secretary. The petition covers 3
major reforms and our call today is for the 4 specific
legislative rules changes recommended by the Brennan Center,”
said Neale.
“This petition is the first presentation of our demands”,
said Bob Volpe of Rochester. “The E-march is an on-going
effort to gain citizen support for change. This activity is
citizen-driven so the more people sign on, the more pressure
we will exert and the sooner we will get the reforms we
deserve. Our goal is to tell legislators that the voices of
voting citizens in their districts are louder than the voices
of special interests” said Volpe.
####
CONTACTS:
Rome Celli 585.732.1767 or by email:
Reginald Neale 585.315.0962
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Citizens for Better Government
in New York
November 3, 2006
Contact:
Rome Celli FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Voice: 585.732.1767
Write-In "Reform" on
Election Day
"Citizens for Better Government in New York (CBGNY) urges voters to write-in
the word 'REFORM' when they go into the voting booth on Election Day. Tell those
running for office what we really think," said Stu Berger, President of CBGNY. "If
you're tired of hearing about all the corruption in Albany, and our state government's
failure to address the big issues such as jobs, health care and education, you've
got a chance to express yourself more directly & effectively on Election Day," said
Berger. Whether an incumbent or challenger wins, elected state legislators
need to know voters want changes in Albany. Voters have
an opportunity to send a clear
message by casting a write-in vote for REFORM for every state office. "Instead
of voting for a person, vote for a change", said Rome Celli, Communications
officer of CBGNY.
The process is easy. Every voting machine has a place to
write in the name of
someone other than those on the printed ballot. This place is usually at
the top of the ballot, above the line identifying the office. "We urge
voters in New York to send a powerful message to Albany by writing in the
word 'REFORM'
instead of voting for a candidate listed on the ballot in state legislative
races," said
David Lum, another leader of CBGNY. "A write-in vote for REFORM will help
turn the heat up in Albany," said Lum.
Voters can ask for help if needed.
Those who staff polling places for the Board of Elections on Election
Day can help voters with the process. You can also
get more information about how to write-in REFORM at the CBGNY website
at www.cbgny.org.
If you don't plan to vote because you don't think your
vote won't count, think again. A write in vote for REFORM!
will send a strong message
that voters
do want a better government. On Election Day, write-in REFORM for a
change.
Rome Celli from Citizens for Better Government in
New York State can be reached by phone at 585.732.1767
or by email:
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Citizens for Better Government in NY
Media Release
For Immediate Release: July 10, 2006
Citizen’s Group Launches E-March on Albany
Rochester NY,—Citizens for Better Government in
New York, (CBGNY), a statewide citizen’s group,
today launched the “E-march on Albany”, a
state-wide Internet-based campaign to make the state
legislature more democratic. We must end over 20 years
of gross dysfunction and reform charades. The group’s
platform is the “3R’s" of legislative
reform aimed at shifting legislative power to voters
through fully-empowered and accountable legislators.
“We ask citizens to take 2 simple but important
actions, said David Spence, President of CBGNY. “One
is to join the “E-march” by “signing” our
on-line petition here supporting
the 3R’s and the other is to ask New York relatives,
friends and colleagues to sign the petition and join
the “E-march too.”
“The 3R’s of Real Reform call for legislative
Rules changes, objective independent third party Redistricting,
and Referendum and Initiative that allows citizens to
place legislation directly on the ballot to circumvent
the legislature. “We think these changes will bring
accountability, objectivity, and transparency,” said
Stuart Berger of Brighton, CBGNY’s Vice President.
“The dysfunctional state legislature is obsessed
with staying in office. Meanwhile, important issues like
jobs, property taxes, education, and health care are
unresolved. Given the state-wide elections this fall,
the time is right for citizens to take action,” said
Spence
A tally of those who join the E-march and the declaration
of our platform will be presented to legislators and
the public. “We believe this grass roots campaign
will be compelling and we expect legislators to respond,” said
David Lum of Pittsford, one of the e-marches key developers.
We are asking other organizations across the state to
join CBGNY to urge citizens to join the “E-march.” Our
immediate goal is to have 2,000 petition signers by the
end of July.
“Citizens are demanding change. We’re taking
action. Young people and our businesses are voting with
their feet and leaving New York,” said Richard
Barone, CBGNY’s Treasurer who lives in Irondequoit.
We want to help citizens demand change.”
-30-
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Citizens for Better Government in NY
Media Release
Citizen’s Group Will Press
for Albany Changes
Rochester NY, December 7, 2005—Citizens for Better
Government in New York, (CBGNY) formerly Citizens for Legislative
Reform, a state-wide grassroots group seeking reform in
New York State government announced a 3-point government
reform platform today. The group will launch a statewide
campaign to gain citizen and legislator support for adoption
of:
· Objective independent third party redistricting. Currently, each house of the legislature appoints a
committee of its own members to establish new district
boundaries
every 10 years after each federal census.
· Additional legislative rules changes. Open up the legislative
process. Currently, rules are in place that limits
the open debate of legislation and the flow of bills through
the process of consideration, debate, amendment,
and passage.
· Initiative and Referendum (I&R). Currently,
New York does not have these processes. These features
allow citizens to place proposed laws directly on the ballot
without the approval of the legislature. Referendum allows
citizens to place on the ballot laws that have been enacted
by the legislature for reconsideration by the voters.
“The changes we seek are needed to help New York
State regain its place of economic leadership and quality
of life,” said David Spence of Victor, one of the
co-leaders of CBGNY. “Too many of our young people
and our businesses are voting with their feet and leaving
New York to live and conduct their business elsewhere”,
said Spence.
“Changes in the way the state is governed are long
overdue,” said David Lum of Pittsford, another of
the group’s leaders. “Our state legislature
is bogged down with the battle of incumbency while the
important issues are caught in legislative delays controlled
by a few leaders,” said Lum.
“Last year, the Brennan Center for Justice at New
York University School of Law issued a report entitled “The
New York State Legislative Process: An Evaluation and Blueprint
for Reform”. "It's been almost 1 1/2 years since
this report was published and virtually no changes have
been made to make the legislative process more transparent,
deliberative, accountable, and effective", said John
Boroski of Fairport, another of the group’s leaders.
During the last 3-4 months, teams of members of CBGNY
studied various options that could improve the way New
York is governed, and recommended the three proposals outlined
here as the most effective ways to reform New York.
“These vital changes will tip the balance back to a point where all our
legislators and citizens are enabled to address the important issues facing our
state.” said Bill Nealon, one of CBGNY’s founders. “In a new
environment, our government will be better able to deal with the tough issues
in a more timely way,” said Nealon.
-More-
Citizens for Better Government in NY
Media Release
The key features of the changes sought are as follows:
Legislative Redistricting: Common sense redistricting
· Having election districts that make sense:
Compact, contiguous, and respecting communities of interest.
· Boundaries established by an independent non-partisan group,
such as former judges.
· Districts defined by population, not voter registration.
Initiative and Referendum: Direct citizen participation
in making laws.
· Citizen petitions of a reasonable number of
voters from a variety of districts would be required
to get an
issue on the ballot for a new initiative or to deal
with a law passed by the legislature.
Legislative Rules Changes: Create an efficient and effective
legislature
· Eliminate the power of the Assembly Speaker
and the Senate Majority Leader to control the flow of
legislation
· Common use of conference committees to reconcile differences
in similar legislation passed by the two houses.
· Equal status and stature among minority and majority legislators
so they can adequately represent their districts.
“We need a more nimble government in New York, said
John Schmeelk, another member of the group’s leadership.
We’ve researched these issues and know that other
states have significantly better processes for redistricting,
legislative process, and Initiative and Referendum that
clearly better empower their legislators and citizens.
We deserve the same in New York.”
“This announcement begins a statewide campaign to
gain citizen support to influence our legislators to make
the changes we propose.” said Neil Jaschik of Brighton.
We have had consistent citizen interest and participation
for the last year, and this interest is increasing around
the state. Reform is truly a grassroots concern because
people want things to work better in Albany,” said
Jaschik.
For more about Citizens for Better Government in New York,
visit our website at www.cbgny.org.
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