[QUOTE=OtakuLoki]
But, aren’t voter referenda particularly difficult to get through here in NYS? IIRC Silver has been on record opposing them, because, of course our grand legislators already represent our interests. So there’s no need to actually consider asking the people what they might want. :dubious:
I don’t think that the strategy of pushing for a state-wide referendum can bear fruit. For any position. And while I’m glad for the effect that will likely have on this particular strategy - I’m still firmly convinced that the legislative environment here in the state, as described by Billdo, is seriously broken, and that the possibility of referenda might be the tool needed to get the legislature to actually start to reform itself.
[/QUOTE]
First, I wanted to give an update on developments as this situaton starts to unfolds, but definitely also meant to acknowledge the wonderfully cogent post by Billdo. Thank you both.
You (and B) probably know better than I do about the likelihood of voter referenda, but, because of the quote I included, thought it might be a possibility based on what I’ve read so far. It is probably more likely a push for direct legislative action though.
Since the Democratic Assembly has already passed a now-stalled Spitzer-sponsored bill and part of the deterioration of the legislature environment involves a possible loss of a majority stranglehold on Albany, I also might actually look forward to legislature challenges/checks/weigh-ins taking the legislative route. If a potential voter referendum can success in forcing the issue, I’m all for that too, as it might reform government for all New Yorkers.