Propositions pass with mixed reactions

Nov 11, 2014 at 11:50 pm by Observer-Review


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Propositions pass with mixed reactions

NEW YORK--In the aftermath of the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election, three New York State propositions on the ballot were approved by voters. These propositions included placing the task of redrawing district lines into the hands of a new commission, allowing the distribution of legislative bills electronically and spending $2 billion to technologically upgrade schools across the state. However, when it comes to the redrawing of district lines, not all are happy the motion went through.
The first proposition has made it so a new 10-member committee will take over the role of redrawing district lines. The process that occurs every 10 years was formerly handled by the state legislature, with the proposition supposedly intending to make the system favor incumbents less.
However, the 10 members of the new committee to handle this process will still be selected by state legislators. The proposal also requires legislative approval of the redrawing of district lines before it goes into effect.
"On the surface it sounds like it might be a more fair, equitable way to redistrict," Schuyler County Chairman Dennis Fagan said. "We went through the redistricting ourselves at the county level, but that really doesn't involve as much politics. [...] At the state level you get into all this gerrymandering and some pretty crazy looking geographical patterns, and obviously I'm against that."
Fagan said he hopes the proposition will help alleviate some of the redistricting abuses of the past, but added it also depends on who is selected to serve on the commission. He added people will have to wait and see how it turns out.
"It depends on who they get on these commissions," Fagan said. "Whether it is a bunch of political hacks versus some truly committed people."
Yates County Legislator Mark Morris said he also shared concerns with whether or not this proposition will be truly effective. He said while he still supports redistricting, he does not trust state leaders when it comes to their motives for the proposition.
"I've become very distrustful of the motives of our state leaders for that," Morris said. "I think redistricting would be great but I question the people who proposed it."
Morris said he reluctantly voted in favor of the proposition since there is a need for reform in that area, but he emphasized his continuing distrust for state leadership. He said he believes there is a lot of corruption at the state level that is left unaddressed.
Morris also added there is a large discreancy in viewpoints and morals of the urban New York City areas from the rural upstate areas, proposing the idea of a referendum to possibly split the state in two. He cited Republican governor candidate Rob Astorino doing well in the upstate election, while Gov. Andrew Cuomo won due to his support from New York City residents.
The second proposal on the ballot allowed the state legislature to review legislative bills electronically, foregoing paper copies. The bills are still required to sit three days before the legislature can vote, as is written in the New York State Constitution.
The third proposition approved was for $2 billion in technological upgrades in the state's schools. Each school district gets a certain amount based on their state aid, but must still get state approval in how to spend the money.

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