SUNY New Paltz holds round table discussion on constitutional reform in New York State

NEW PALTZ — The Honors Program at the State University of New York at New Paltz will host a round table discussion on constitutional reform in New York State at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the Honors Center in College Hall.

Last month, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Greenburgh) introduced a legislative package calling for constitutional change. Brodsky will be one of many panelists participating in the discussion.

Other panelists include: Assemblyman Kevin Cahill of District 101; Blair Horner, the legislative director of NYPIRG; Tom Krieger, assistant to the president of the United University Professions; and Gerald Benjamin, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at SUNY New Paltz. Senator John J. Bonacic and Assemblyman Joel Miller were also invited to attend.

Panelists will discuss the possibility and implications of Brodsky’s recent proposal for constitutional reform in New York State. Brodsky’s legislative package includes a call to convene a constitutional convention; a series of individual amendments, which may be ratified without the need for a constitutional convention; and legislation to reform the delegate selection process prior to the election of delegates to a convention.

“The New York State Constitution enshrines our values and gives legal expression to our vision of ourselves and our government,” said Brodsky. “It’s our fundamental source of guidance for elected officials, it sets forth the process of government, and reflects our democracy’s vision of itself, our responsibilities, our rights, and our community. Since its last revision at the Constitutional Convention of 1938, its institutional arrangements have been increasingly unable to yield an effective government. Society and government have evolved as we enter the 21st century, and New York’s Constitution needs to change.”

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Honors Center at (845) 257-3934.