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Help Restore New York State to Greatness.
Citizens Rally for Reform of New York Government on April 29, 2008Reform Day was held on April 29th in Albany. 
In cooperation with Common Cause, CBGNY members met with legislative leaders one-on-one, to learn of their opinion on urgently needed reforms.

For the most part, legislators passed on the usual "agree with us in concept, but not now".  We have work ahead.

To watch a brief two-minute video, featuring CBGNY President Stu Berger, Click Here.

CBGNY Holds Annual Meeting, and exposé of how New York State government became so dysfunctional

On June 3rd, CBGNY, Inc. held its annual meeting as required in the by-laws.  Roughly 20 were in attendance.
 
Treasurer Rich Barone prepared a financial report that was shared with the attendees.  VP Rome Celli gave a synopsis of the year's events and highlights. 
 
Dave Lum, a member of the nominating committee for officers of CBGNY, Inc. introduced the slate of candidates and asked if there were nominations from the attendees.  There were none and the slate was accepted by acclimation. 

The officer for 2008-09 are:
President-          Stu Berger
Vice President-   Neil Jaschik
Treasurer-           Rich Barone*
Secretary-          Reg Neale
   * Rich has agree to serve out the calendar year.  We need someone to step up to the plate and take over for Rich hopefully with adequate overlap so that the dimensions of the job can be learned.
 
President Stu Berger presented a view of the development of the NY State government starting at the inception of European colonization and tracing the events that led to the first state constitution in 1777.  

  • From there he showed the changes that occurred and talked a bit about the forces that directed change. 
  • The 3 questions that he posed at the start of the presentation were answered either by the material presented during the evolution of our government or at the end where he pointed out that the rules of the legislature were not prescribed in the 1777 constitution except that there was a direction to follow British Common Law. 
  • This indicated that the parliamentary procedure which encourages open debate and respect for the minority has been lost in the highly politicized legislature of today.

DonateCan you chip-in $15 for CBGNY membership for a year?  It's CBGNY membership dues time for 2008 with a minimum of $15 contribution per member requested.  Please consider giving as much as you feel able, our treasury has been depleted!  Your donation counts!    Sorry, not tax deductable.

Following is Satire

Above is Satire:  In The Know: Are Politicians Failing Our Lobbyists?

Imagine Albany filled with politicians owing nothing to special interests. "Clean Elections" will make this reality.voter opinion about "clean money - clean elections"

Thanks to Citizens Action, a poll was completed in April 2008.  79% of voters want Clean Money - Clean Elections.  Read the complete report details by clicking on the links below:

Poll results show overwhelming support for Clean Elections

In a new poll, New Yorkers of all political stripes show overwhelming support for public financing of elections for statewide and legislative offices, even in tough times for the State budget. Click here for a summary of the poll results. Click here for the full poll results.

YouTubeMore Information from YouTube on Clean Elections:
Beth Edmonds, president of the Maine State Senate, talks about the benefits of Clean Elections-style public financing of elections. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHlZ_5P58w

Excellent TV spot from Arizona Clean Elections Board: http://youtube.com/watch?v=aqIGL2hhLeU

Good "real life website" of the official Arizona Clean Elections commission: http://azcleanelections.gov/ccecweb/ccecays/home.asp

For details on CMCE, view this excellent four-part series prepared by Metro Justice.  You'll find that this is a non-partisan campaign to clean up state government.  View first part at the link below.  Then look for other "TV Dinner" links to the right of the YouTube page:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pm27KMR3FE

General Important Concerns of New York's Citizens

People are concerned about Education, Jobs, Health care, Property taxes, and other important issues. Serious problems are not being addressed because the machinery of government in Albany is broken.

The first step to fixing New York's problems is to fix Albany. The health of New York cannot be restored unless the legislative process is open, fair, democratic, deliberative, transparent, effective, and accountable to citizens. Healthy government is the prerequisite for a healthy State. (Why This Matters)

Who's Buying our State Legislature?  Find Out the Answers on a New Website:

Project Sunlight [Sunlightny.org]  "Project Sunlight" easily exposes the links between donors, lobbyists, contracts, campaign contributions, proposed laws and elected officials.

Special Interests use big money to buy our elected officials. We need legislators to work for us on – health care, jobs, education and property taxes.

Fundamental Process Reforms

CBGNY is campaigning for fundamental process reforms which will put our State on the road to recovery. Now is the ideal time to press legislators for commitment and action on reform.

Citizens demand action by our Legislature. Add your name to the petition supporting Reform and join the E-march on Albany. (ReformNY Petition)

CBGNY is a non-partisan, statewide citizens organization dedicated to changing New York State's government. Our State's legislative process has been described as the "most dysfunctional in the nation."* Working together, citizens can help to fix our State, and build a better future. Our ultimate goal is a healthy State where all citizens can prosper.

* Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Press Release dated 7/21/04, accompanying publication of its report: "The New York State Legislative Process: an Evaluation and Blueprint for Reform"

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