Ballot Issues:

Question 1: Budget Reform: Would create a provisional budget if no budget agreement can be reached by the Legislature. Opens Governor’s budget to public scrutiny. BUT, the provisional budget could allow the Legislature to avoid passing a real budget, potentially leaving many critical services unfunded. This proposal is mixed—good ideas but poorly worded. Progressive organizations disagree on this one:

NYC ADA: Vote No on Question 1.
Common Cause NY: Vote Yes on Question 1.
NYPIRG: Vote Yes on Question 1.

Question 2: Transportation Bond: The state would borrow $2.9 billion to be split between upstate and NYC for transportation construction. Strongly supported by progressive groups:

NYC ADA: Vote Yes on Question 2.
Straphangers’ Campaign: Vote Yes on Question 2.
NY State AFL-CIO: Vote Yes on Question 2.

Question 3: NYC Mayor's Ethics Rules for City Judges: This is yet another Michael Bloomberg power grab. In the name of reforming the City Council, this would simply give yet more power to the NYC mayor. This would give the mayor almost full control over the ethics requirements for judges without public input (sounds like ALL of Bloomberg’s proposals). Judges could be disciplined if they violate the new rules that are created by the mayor. Opposed by Progressive organizations:

NYC ADA: Vote No on Question 3.
The Nation magazine editorial board: Vote No on Question 3.

Question 4: NYC Mayor's Control of Balanced Budget: As with the Ethics Rules (Question 3), this another Michael Bloomberg power grab. In the name of reforming the City Council, this would simply give yet more power to the NYC mayor. The mayor would be responsible for taking actions to balance a budget, taking further power away from the City Council.

NYC ADA: Vote No on Question 4.

If your group has an opinion on these issues (of if you PERSONALLY have an opinion on these issues) please post here. If your group has not yet formulated a position, now might be a time to do so.