Mid-Hudson News: GOP assembly members talk up “People’s Constitutional Convention”

NEWBURGH – Assembly Republican Minority Members Nancy Calhoun and Marc Molinaro met with the public Friday afternoon at the SUNY Orange Newburgh campus to discuss legislation proposed by Minority Leader Brian Kolb that calls for the enactment of a “People’s Constitutional Convention” to address issues in New York State’s government and economy.

The goal, said Molinaro, is to motivate New Yorkers on the concept that they have the power to reform state government.

Calhoun said it is required by law that a constitutional convention be considered every 20 years, 1997 being the last year it was brought into question.

“The People’s Constitutional would empower the average person; it would not have partisanship,” she said.

The Kolb plan would start the process of convening a people’s constitutional convention seven years early by putting it before voters on the ballots in the 2010 elections, said Calhoun.

“I think 2010 is a particularly unique opportunity for this,” said Newburgh resident Margaret Conroy, because of the large number of voters that will turn out to decide the significant amount of leadership positions that will be up for re-election. “Everyone, whether they agree with me or not, should voice their opinion. We ought to have a vigorous discussion in the state and in the country.”

http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/November09/14/GOP_peop_conv-14Nov09.html