Would N.Y. Constitutional Convention Simplify State Government?
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WHAM 13 News: In the midst of state chaos in the state Senate, calls for a constitutional convention are being heard. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) said, "I support, first, something called a constitutional convention." Former New York City Mayor and a potential Republican gubernatorial candidate Rudy Giuliani said last week, "This was always a broken state government…now it's collapsed." Fellow Republican Rick Lazio, a former congressman and U.S. Senate candidate who also has gubernatorial aspirations, took it a step further. In a letter to Giuliani and Governor Paterson he said, "I join both of you in support of a constitutional convention...(and mentioning his) proposal for abolishing the Assembly and Senate and creating a new unicameral legislature." Nebraska is the only state with a one-house state government, and it’s one of only 6 states that is not in a recession. Nebraska Senator Beau McCoy said, "Our unicameral legislature really forces us, which is a good thing in my opinion, to establish and develop good working relationships with our colleagues… who we don't always agree with, politically or philosophically." Would it Work in New York? Kent Gardner of the Center for Governmental Research said senate and assembly districts don't vary much - in size or length of terms. "So why do we have two houses? I don't really know!" Is the expectation of a one-house legislature realistic for New York?
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