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The first amendment, allowing an expansion of casino gambling has dwarfed all others in attention and a great fall off in votes is expected on the other issues. In addition to the five casinos run by Indian tribes and the nine state-run racinos, the proposed amendment would add a maximum of seven full-scale casinos most located north of Albany.
Proponents of the amendment believe casinos will provide tourism, good jobs, increase revenue currently lost to Connecticut and New Jersey and the constitutional provision that limits the growth to seven will curb their proliferation. Opponents argue that, expanding casino gambling increases gambling addiction and has harmful effects on the casino communities including increased crime.
Amendment two would allow veterans who were disabled in combat to get more points when competing for jobs within the Civil Service system. Because it alters the Civil Service Law, the change has to come via a constitutional amendment.
Those in favor of the change argue that the amendment would not only increase employment opportunities for disabled veterans, but would also put their training and experience to work for state and local governments. Currently, there is no expressed opposition to this change.
Amendment three would allow local governments to exceed their long-term debt limits if the money is used for sewage improvements. This exemption began in 1963 and has been extended every 10 years since. The genesis of the 1963 amendment, was to encourage municipalities to participate in a then-new state sewer construction plan without impairing the financing of other needed capital improvements.
Since pollution concerns continue as well as the need to constantly maintain and upgrade sewage treatment systems, this amendment appears to be universally non-controversial.
The next two amendments address land within the Adirondack parks. The New York State Constitution via the “Forever Wild” clause forbids the lease, sale, exchange or taking of forest preserve land without a constitutional change.
Amendment four settles a century’s old private-public dispute over 200 parcels near Raguette Lake.
Proponents of the amendment believe it will finally settle a longstanding and costly dispute and in the end, in a land trade, will actually add significantly to the Adirondack Preserve. Opponents believe such disputes should be resolved via the judicial system and not a constitutional change, setting a very poor precedent for this type of dispute resolution going forward.
The fifth proposed amendment would authorize a land swap with a private company, NYCO Minerals of Willsboro, to expand its current wollastonite mine—a mineral used in paints, plastics and auto parts. The current mine has only three to four years of material remaining.
In exchange for mining on adjoining property, which would extend company operations by eight to 10 years, upon completion the land would be donated back to the state.
Proponents argue the measure would preserve jobs in a very depressed area and eventually leave New York with more preserved parkland. Opponents fear that a dangerous precedent will be set as a constitutional revision is undertaken for private gain and not a clear public purpose. They also argue that alternatives on NYCO’s current private property are viable.
The final proposed amendment would increase to 80 from 70, the maximum age Supreme Court and Appeals Court justices could stay on the bench.
Proponents believe that the services of experienced, dedicated judges are being lost to a retirement matrix that does not reflect current life expectancies. Opponents argue conversely that the current retirement rule encourages fresh ideas, healthy turnover and diversity.
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