CFBNY inc Glossary of terms

Dysfunction is the inability to function properly or effectively. Currently this word accurately describes the New York State legislature.

Gerrymandering to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible; to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one political party to win future elections.

Gridlock - The inability to move issues forward to resolution.

Initiative is a proposed statutory or constitutional change that is placed on the ballot for a popular vote.

Member Item is funding approved by the legislature and directed toward a project or agency within a legislators district.

Referendum refers to the power of the people to place on the ballot laws that already have been enacted by the Legislature and either accept or reject them in whole or in part.

Rules The New York State Constitution dictates that each house of the legislature shall create rules to govern their legislative activities.

“Three men in a room” is a system that concentrates power with three specific men. The three men are the State Assembly leader, The State Senate leader and the Governor. These three men negotiate the fate of the state behind closed doors. This situation excludes our representatives from decisions and silences the voice and needs of the people. Technically this is a Triumvirate, a three-person government, far from our chosen form of representative democracy.