Read, Watch and Hear All About It!

A collection of media coverage, podcasts and video interviews on the kickoff of Leader Brian Kolb and the Assembly Minority Conference's Town Hall Meetings on the People's Convention to Reform New York. The People's Convention to Reform New York is a grassroots, non-partisan reform effort to empower citizens so they can take back their state government and, in the process, chart a positive, new direction for New York.

Capital Tonight
Time Warner Cable - interview with Erin Billups
http://legacy.news10now.com/shared/videolists/default.asp?VLID=1048&destlist=2637¤t=2637
Assembly Minority Leader Kolb discusses the recent town hall meetings in Queensbury and Plattsburgh and his call for a People's Convention to Reform New York.

"The Fishman File"
WSYR - interview with Jay Fishman
http://www.570wsyr.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/player.html?redir=yes&mps=Fishman.php& mid=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/ podcast/SYRACUSE-NY/WSYR-AM/Brian%20Kolb%20Podcast.mp3?CPROG=PCAST?CCOMRRMID& CPROG=RICHMEDI
The Assembly Minority Leader discusses the series of town hall meetings taking place throughout New York State.

Assembly Minority Leader Pushes for "People's Convention"
WIBX950 - interview for "First Look" morning program
http://www.wibx950.com/LocalNewsHeadlines/tabid/11470/mid/13176/newsid13176/36764/Default.aspx
Kolb says legislation has been introduced to move up the date from 2017 by putting the issue on the ballot next November. He says the legislation needs to be passed by both the Senate and Assembly by the end of the Legislative session next June. Kolb says a "People's Convention" would put the ability to reform state government in citizens' hands and deliver the real change New York needs, including a property tax cap, a state spending cap and term limits for Legislative Leaders. Kolb was a guest on this morning's First Look Program.

Kolb: Constitutional Convention - Dec. 22, 2009
WHCU 870 am - "Morning News Watch," interview with Dave Vieser
http://www.whcu870.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4249721
NYS Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Ontario Co.) discusses the need for a constitutional convention, the US Senate health care bill, and Lazio for governor.

Mountain Lake Journal
December 17, 2009 - Thom Hallock
http://video.mountainlake.org/video/1362977390/
At approximately 5 minutes in (23 minutes remaining): The Minority Leader in the State Assembly came to the North Country this week and got an earful from people who are unhappy with state lawmakers and regulators, and the job they're doing in Albany.

Editorial: Legislature's failures necessitate convention
Glens Falls Post Star - Post Star Editorial Board
http://www.poststar.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_638dc9ca-ec5d-11de-a604-001cc4c002e0.html
There are a lot of good arguments not to have a state constitutional convention…
They should hold one anyway. Here's why…

Newsmaker Q&A: Brian Kolb and the Constitutional Convention
Messenger Post - Julie Sherwood
http://www.mpnnow.com/news/x664188494/Newsmaker-Q-A-Brian-Kolb-and-the-Constitutional-Convention
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb is on the road promoting People's Convention to Reform New York. Last week, he held Town Hall meetings to explain Assembly Bill A.9157, in Warren County. Beginning January, his travels will include town hall meetings in the Finger Lakes region, including Ontario County, said Kolb spokesman Joshua Fitzpatrick.

A call for reform
Norwich Evening Sun - Melissa Stagnaro
http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2009-12-17/8579/A-call-for-reform/
Earlier this week, I attended an information session hosted by Commerce Chenango. For roughly an hour, a group of local business people, elected officials and I listened to Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb talk about the need for reform of our state government.

Reformers call for early state convention
Schenectady Daily Gazette - Kathy Bowen
Lawmaker leading charge for Constitution changes.

Our View: State needs a constitutional convention
Auburn Citizen - Citizen Editorial
http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2009/12/28/opinion/our_view.txt
If there was any doubt about whether the state Legislature and governor could bring meaningful reform to the way New York state government operates, the past year cemented the answer. No way.

Town hall meeting on idea of constitutional convention
WAMC - Ian Pickus (Audio Report)
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1589984/WAMC.New.York.News/ Town.hall.meeting.on.idea.of.constitutional.convention
Three legislators pushing to reform state government have gotten a taste of the cynicism and pain felt by some New Yorkers, one of whom says he's ready, in his words, to leave "this stinkin' state."

For more information about the "People's Convention to Reform New York," visit
www.reformny.org and contact:

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb: (518) 455-3751