I have been receiving many questions about the two constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot in New York State for the November general election. You can read the full text of the proposals here.

With early voting scheduled for October 28, 2023 – November 5, 2023 and election day on November 7, 2023, it is a good opportunity to learn about these proposals before going to the polls.

Proposal One – Removal of small city school districts from special constitutional debt limitation

I am uniquely familiar with this measure since I sponsored the amendment language and enabling legislation with my colleague Senator Shelley Mayer. You can read my Times Union commentary on the measure and listen to my Capitol Pressroom interview on the ballot measure for more information.

There are 57 small city school districts in NYS and a current inequity in the law prevents the small city school districts from incurring debt at the same limit as other school districts. Currently, small city school districts can only incur 5% of their debt limit, while other schools can incur 10%. By putting small city districts on the same playing field as other districts, they will be allowed to efficiently invest in improvements for the health and safety of the students and staff along with other beneficial upgrades.

Proposal Two – Extending Sewage Project Debt Exclusion From Debt Limit

Putting on my former mayor hat, this proposal is a straightforward extension of current law. We can all agree that building and maintaining sewage treatment facilities is important. This measure allows the current practice of municipalities being allowed to exclude debt incurred for these vital projects from their debt limit. Similar to Proposal One, this avoids unnecessary obstacles that might impede these projects from moving forward, and nothing stinks about that.

This practice has been allowed for 60 years and is reauthorized every 10 years.

For additional insight from the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and the Association of Small City School Districts, see this straightforward Gothamist article explaining both measures.

To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy. What better time to educate ourselves than before we vote on the measures that have an impact on all of us?