WHAT IS THE PEOPLE’S CONVENTION TO REFORM NEW YORK?
It’s a growing, non-partisan grassroots movement to deliver positive change and fix our broken state government. The question of whether New York should convene a People’s Convention automatically goes before voters in 2017. The “People’s Convention to Reform New York Act,” (Assembly Bill A.9157) moves the opportunity for reform up seven years by placing it on this fall’s ballot.

DO WE NEED A PEOPLE’S CONVENTION?
Absolutely! State government is broken and has stopped working for taxpayers. New Yorkers of all political parties, across all regions, are tired of Albany’s dysfunctional status quo and are demanding real change. This is exactly what a People’s Convention could deliver.

WHY WOULD THIS BE A “PEOPLE’S CONVENTION?”
Taxpayers (like you!) could run for, and serve as, delegates to the People’s Convention and have a strong voice in fixing state government.

HOW DO I BECOME A DELEGATE?
Any citizen who obtains 1,000 signatures from registered voters of their State Senate district would qualify for the non-partisan primary election. Candidates for statewide delegate would be required to obtain 10,000 signatures to qualify for the primary.

CAN POLITICIANS, PARTY LEADERS OR LOBBYISTS RUN AS DELEGATES?
To ensure the People’s Convention is truly of, by and for the people, elected officials, lobbyists, special interest representatives or party leaders would be forced to resign from their office if elected as delegates. This would prevent the special interests, lobbyists and political insiders from hijacking the reform process.

WHAT ISSUES COULD BE ADDRESSED?
Fiscal reforms like a property tax cap and state spending cap, debt reform, a ban on backdoor borrowing and unfunded mandates. Governmental reforms such as initiative and referendum, an independent Legislative Redistricting Commission, term limits for Legislative Leaders and ethics reform could also be considered.