Pete Savage, NYSUT Senior Legislative Representative, speaks to RC-10 members
By DEB ESCOBAR on October 24, 2017
Over 90 RC 10 members and guests gathered for our Fall Luncheon and General Meeting on October 10, 2017. Our keynote speaker was Peter Savage, NYSUT Senior Legislative Representative, who spoke on the dangers of a State Constitutional Convention and the need to Vote No! on Referendum #1 which will be on the back of our voting ballot on November 7.
Regardless of what you may hear, Savage stated that our present State Constitution establishes all of the rights we enjoy as a state citizen, union member, or retiree and that there is indeed an amendment process in place to adapt the Constitution to our needs over time.
If the Constitution referendum were to pass, in 2018 three delegates from each Senate District, and another 15 at-large delegates, would be elected. These delegates would likely include sitting members of the State Legislature and political party leaders. The cost of running a campaign to become a delegate would mean that only those with an infrastructure for the collection of petition signatures, plus the money to run a campaign, would be running for delegate. Those same representatives who have been unable to conduct sweeping ethics reform in the legislature, and who have accepted campaign contributions from special interests, would then be in charge of rewriting our State Constitution. This would mean that many of our rights, such as the right to a free public education, pension rights, worker rights, etc., would be threatened.
There is an amendment process that works. On this year’s ballot are two propositions to amend the constitution – one to revoke state pension of a public official convicted of a felony related to officer’s duties; and the other to create a 250-acre land bank to provide forest preserve land for local projects. Several important changes since 2013, including casino gambling, the creation of an independent redistricting committee, paperless NYS legislature, and others, have been passed by amendment. There has been a total of over 200 amendment changes passed since 2013.
One of the myths used to advocate for the convention is that we need redistricting to fix gerrymandered districts. The reality is that a redistricting amendment passed in 2013 and in 2022 there will be an independent commission to redistrict.
The danger to public employee retirees is real. There is presently language in our state constitution that protects the New York State Teachers Retirement System. The US Constitution does not protect our pensions, as evidenced by the fact that seven states have lost pension rights and suffered a significant reduction of their pensions in recent years. Our pension funds are always a tempting target for those in power. When the State wanted to rebuild the Tappan Zee, they wanted to borrow from common fund for pensions, but could not because our Constitution protected pensions. Savage stated, that “if language changed in the Constitution, on the next downturn the State would be able to take from the pension fund."
In addition, our present Constitution has an amendment called the Blaine amendment, which guarantees that public money may not be used for religious purposes. During the State Constitutional Convention in 1967, the delegates wanted to eliminate the Blaine Amendment, but it did not pass. Presently we have forces in our state that spend a great deal of money to pass vouchers and establish more rights for charters. We fight proposed voucher legislation every year, but it does not pass because it conflicts with the Blaine amendment. If the Constitutional Convention could eliminate that amendment, we would have vouchers immediate, and public monies would flow to parochial schools. This would divert income from the tax stream that public schools depend upon, and would, therefore, threaten our public school system.
A Constitution change could also make New York a right to work state, and we would lose collective bargaining, worker rights, Triborough, etc.
Savage affirmed the need for members to talk to others and inform them of the facts of this issue. He recommended that we know our audience. Don’t talk to someone who is not a public employee about pensions. Talk about other issues such as Adirondacks, the wasted costs of a convention, or even gun rights, which could also be threatened by constitutional changes.
2017 is a local election year, so the danger is that people won’t vote. We must get the vote out, and it is crucial that we bring others to vote.
During lunch, NYSUT President Andy Pallotta also gave a brief speech to members, as well as Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango and 1st Vice President Philippe Abraham. Members enjoyed a delicious lunch and had time to socialize and catch up with colleagues.
Evaluations of the event were overwhelmingly positive. Some comments included:
- “The presenter and literature handed out were excellent in informing me about what the ConCon is and how it affects our lives.”
- “Pete did an outstanding job. The best talk he has ever done.”
- “Pensions are not protected. We need to flip the ballot and remind others to do so. Education Reform Groups mean Charters.”
- “Realizing a convention could be a waste of time and money. Realizing parts of the Constitution can already be changed via amendment.”
- “Importance of Word of Mouth: I will not call people who may or may not understand the consequences.”
- “The 2016 Presidential election should have alerted all of us that anything can happen. We must remain proactively involved to combat further impossible events from occurring. Teachers are still respected in some circles but the incredible taxpayer cost alone should sway undecided voters.”
- “Excellent presentation. Very informative. I would propose a yearly luncheon at NYSUT in the fall to discuss appropriate issues related to retirees.”
To see a photo album of the occasion, click here: http://rc10.ny.aft.org/rc-10-fall-luncheon-october-10-2017.