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Help Restore New York State to Greatness.

June 28, 2009

CFBNY mourns the collapse of responsible state government in Albany. 

 Members of all political parties share in this shocking display of disregard of voters voices. 

The failure of nearly all elected legislators to speak publicly about this collapse of a functioning government must not go on.  It's now very clear that political party bosses, and not voters, run our dysfunctional legislature.  The perpetrators of these crimes against citizens must not go unpunished.

A personal visit
is now nearly the only way to get the attention of your legislator.  Call for an appointment NOW, not tomorrow.  If you care for the survival of New York State, and the well-being of all residents, step up.  We must demand that they move away from the partisan threats they receive, and respond to citizens. 

We do not need a
Soviet republic  in New York State.  Step up to stop this movement!

Professor Peter GalieJune 22 - Attendees Learned secrets of our NYS Constitution

Annual meeting was held - with election of officers by members.  

After Professor Galie's talk, there was a lively Q&A about the types of reform that only a change in the constitution of our state can bring to reality.  Plus, we learned of likely threats that "special interests" will likely employ.

Our featured speaker for this meeting was Professor Peter Galie, Chairman of the Political Science Department of Canisius College and author of definitive works on the NYS Constitution.  The title of his talk was "Reforming the State Constitution, Successes and Failures of Conventions and Commissions." 

Buffalo Senate Hearings with presentation by CFBNYBuffalo Ethics hearings by Senate bring out strong opinions.

CFBNY presents testimony on critical changes to bring respect back into our state government.

Read testimony presented on May 29, 2009 here...   in PDF format.


 

May 28, 2009 - Hearings held in Rochester on Campaign Finance Reform by New York State Senate

This important hearing offered about 75 voters from Western New York to state their opinions about legislative alternatives!  Our state is crumbling due to the corrupting power of wealthy special interests.  There was uniform agreement that the current system is flawed, and major change is needed.

Read testimony from CFBNY Vice President Neil Jaschik here.  Four other members of CFBNY also testified!  Help us keep this work going.  Can you chip-in $10 to cover expenses?  We headed to Buffalo on May 29, to testify for voters at an ethics hearing.

Watch short video of testimony by President Stu Berger at right (sorry for the low sound).


Senate Rules Reform Header 

Senate Rules Reform!


 In late April 2009, in Albany, the State Senate Temporary Committee on Rules and Administration Reform announced the results of its 4-month effort to study rules reform.
Good News:  As advocates for the interests of all New Yorkers, we are very pleased with the Senate committee's report and recommendations.

Citizen action is important to have recommendations adopted.  Click Here to take action! 


Voter Action Needed to remove the "Iron Curtain" in AlbanyWhere are the voices of our elected legislators?

Citizens are urged to email or contact legislators about the silence from our elected representatives.  A sample letter is below:

Dear Member of the Dysfunctional Legislature,

We elected you to personally drive effective government in Albany. Now, during the biggest crisis in recent history, you seem to be silent.  

Where is the vibrant voice we heard during your recent campaign?

During this unprecedented financial meltdown, your voice is not to be heard. Why?

Can you talk with me about your position in addressing our state’s budget debacle?  

My phone number is xxx-xxx-xxxx.  

Thank you.  

Your Name
Voter and
Citizen

CFBNY Deplores Secret "Three Men in a Room" Budget process on March 20, 2009.

New York State is returning to the 'dark ages' of governance without public input from legislators, nor open debate on priorities.  Yes, the notorious 'special-interests' have input, but our elected legislators are excluded from key meetings.

In a report by WXXI, Public Broadcasting in Rochester, Karen DeWitt provides details:  Click here to listen and/or read. A new window will open. 

CFBNY asks voters to call your legislators.  What to say?  "We elected you to represent us, so please do your job and speak up.  Challenge the leaders' stranglehold on excluding all other Legislators from having a voice."


CFBNY points out critical connection between making rules changes and assuring New York’s vibrant future at Long Island Senate hearings on February 27, 2009.

President Stu Berger calls for bold leadership by the Senate committee. 
He recommends the Senate discuss and adopt the powerful, and for some, painful, Senate rules changes needed to best serve the interests of all New Yorkers, not just the special few. 

More here...
CFBNY Presents Testimony to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Reform in Syracuse on February 6, 2009.

 
Spokesperson Reg Neale presented CFBNY's position on the committee's work.  Click on image at right to watch Part 1 of 2.  Then click here to watch Part 2 of 2 - a new window will open. 

Our members believe that the well-being of New York’s citizens can be enhanced if we can accomplish the 4R’s.
The 4R’s are:

  • Rules Changes in the Legislature: to restore representative democracy to a Legislature that has been described as the "most dysfunctional" in the nation;
  • Redistricting: to require an independent, non-partisan commission to establish competitive legislative districts that make sense and ensure accountability.
  • Referendum and Initiative: to establish a check-and-balance process that gives citizens greater voice for influencing public policy.
  • Reclaim Fair Elections: to implement Clean Money/Clean Election laws that provide public money for state election campaigns if a candidate agrees to strict spending limits.

More here...


State of New York's Crisis Discussed at January 15th Public Meeting 

Rick Dollinger meets with CBGNY at public meeting.Our featured speaker was and is an expert in Albany's triumphs, troubles, and dysfunction.

Rick Dollinger discussed "What Can We Do to Change Albany?"

At 7PM, our featured speaker, Rick Dollinger, provided his perspective on the fiscal crisis and the way that our state government is dealing with it.  He discussed the government process and what changes are critical to improving the way that the state's problems are dealt with. 

Rick pointed our four critical issues to returning our government to functionality

  1. non-partisan redistricting - creating voting districts without consideration of the party affiliation of residents of districts

  2. campaign finance reform - restoring the power of the voter, and reducing the power of well-funded special interests

  3. legislative rules changes to bring equality to individual legislators

  4. I&R - allowing citizens to directly vote on issues that the legislature fails to address

  We need your help in bringing about these reforms, and returning New York State to a state of opportunity and prosperity for all citizens!

Stay tuned for news on further workshops and public forums on cleaning up our failing government.


 

Donate  Can you chip-in to support CBGNY?  We have an all-volunteer group, with no paid employees, contractors, or consultants.  But we do have expenses for mailings, advertisements, computer and web hosting.  Please consider giving as much as you feel able!  Your donation counts!    Sorry, not tax deductable.


Bob Volpe - Citizens for a Better New York

Lawmakers: Put people before politics

by Bob Volpe - Citizens for a Better New York - 11/12/08

Now is the time for Republicans to become states­men and act to change the state Senate rules to benefit all New Yorkers. The GOP has had control of the Senate for more 40 years, but in January, the Democrats will take over. Be­tween now and then, the sena­tors have the opportunity to de­fine the environment in which they’ll work, in which the GOP will be the minority party.
 
We urge them to immediately adopt key changes recom­mended by the Brennan Center for Justice in 2004:

• Strengthen the committee process.
• End leaders’ stranglehold over bills getting to the floor.
• Institutionalize the use of conference committees.
• End leadership control over resources and staff. Read more...

Donate  Can you chip-in $15 for CFBNY membership for a year?  It's CFBNY membership dues time for 2009-2010 with a minimum of $15 contribution per member requested.  Please consider giving as much as you feel able, our treasury has been depleted!  Your donation counts!    Sorry, not tax deductable.


General Important Concerns of New York's Citizens

People are concerned about Education, Jobs, Health care, Property taxes, and other important issues. Serious problems are not being addressed because the machinery of government in Albany is broken.

The first step to fixing New York's problems is to fix Albany. The health of New York cannot be restored unless the legislative process is open, fair, democratic, deliberative, transparent, effective, and accountable to citizens. Healthy government is the prerequisite for a healthy State. (Why This Matters)


Fundamental Process Reforms

CFBNY is campaigning for fundamental process reforms which will put our State on the road to recovery. Now is the ideal time to press legislators for commitment and action on reform.

Citizens demand action by our Legislature.

CFBNY is a non-partisan, statewide citizens organization dedicated to changing New York State's government. Our State's legislative process has been described as the "most dysfunctional in the nation."* Working together, citizens can help to fix our State, and build a better future. Our ultimate goal is a healthy State where all citizens can prosper.

* Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Press Release dated 7/21/04, accompanying publication of its report: "The New York State Legislative Process: an Evaluation and Blueprint for Reform"

CFBNY.org

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