New York City Bar Association Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Call for an Expert, Non-Partisan Commission to Develop a Blueprint for a Possible Constitutional Convention

As part of his 2016 policy agenda released yesterday alongside his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo called for the creation of an expert, non-partisan constitutional convention preparatory commission. “The City Bar applauds the Governor’s recognition of the importance of investing in a commission to examine ways to improve the convention process and, should the voters vote ‘yes’ in November 2017, to prepare properly for a convention,” said City Bar President Debra Raskin. “We urge that the commission members be appointed and start work as soon as possible.” In October, the City Bar announced the creation of its Task Force on the New York State Constitutional Convention. As a similar task force did twenty years ago, the City Bar’s Task Force will examine whether a convention should be held, a question that will be put to the voters in November 2017. As part of its work, the Task Force will review the laws and procedures that govern the calling of a constitutional convention and issue findings for the benefit of the public and the Governor’s commission.