New York secessionists look to constitutional convention as best chance to split state

Washington Times ^ | May 30, 2017 | Valerie Richardson

[Mafe]

State secessionist movements are long shots at best, but New Yorkers pushing for a breakup between the Big Apple and upstate are counting on the very real possibility of a constitutional convention to boost their odds.

Voters will decide in November whether to hold a statewide constitutional convention in 2019, thanks to the New York State Constitution, which allows for such an event every 20 years.

It’s a rare opportunity that the Divide NYS Caucus hopes to seize.

“It’s time to cease fantasizing that NYS legislators have the best interests of the people in mind,” the caucus said in a statement. “If we vote YES on the NYS convention, the first step in our plan to form autonomous regions is complete.”

[Red Badger]

POTUS 2016 Election RED/BLUE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_in_New_York,_2016

[mewzilla]

You know things have gotten bad when, instead of laughing their heads off when constituents raise the subject of Upstatehood, the local pols are raising it themselves. And they ain’t laughing.

[smokingfrog]

If states had an electoral college system so tha state-wide candidates would have to win a majority vote of the counties instead of just a popular vote, that would go a long way toward solving the problem.

[budj]

Without NYC and LA Trump wins the popular vote.

[ConservativeWarrior]

As a native upstater, YES PLEASE.

Most of NY state is beautiful, and an outdoorsman’s paradise. Unfortunately, we are all taxed and regulated to death by the leftists residing in that sewer NYC.

[mewzilla]

NYS lost 2 House seats after the 2010 census. Scuttlebutt has NYS losing another one after 2020.

[pepsionice]

If one drives up and around the whole state....it’s basically three states: NY City by itself, the east side (Albany) to Canada, and the west side (Buffalo). I’d even go as far as saying Long Island ought to be a state by itself.

But I’d go and do this convention thing with one other thought...drop the senators to one per state and limit their function to approving cabinet officials, attending funerals, and conducting Supreme Court approvals...with a life-time limit of twelve years as a Senator.

There are probably twenty states that ought to be broke up into at least two states each (California and Florida are good examples).

[Ramcat]

If NYC split and took Philadelphia with them I wonder how many electoral votes the new entity would have?
No disrespect meant toward Philly freepers but?

[MCF]

To me, the electoral College should be by federal congressional districts plus two votes for winner of the states total.

[Does so]

Bfl

[alexander_busek]

Wouldn't they have better prospects attempting to join another, preexistent state (e.g., Vermont or Pennsylvania) - thus mooting the issue of getting greater representation in the Senate?

Regards,

[Roccus]

Whether city or up-state initiated, this has been talked about my whole life.....and that’s all it is...talk.

PS, I was born under LaGuardia.

[MeganC]

“I was born under LaGuardia.”

I’m sure that was a novel experience for the Mayor!

[mewzilla]

LaGuardia was pre-Medicaid.

[Roccus]

LOL!!!!!

[Roccus]

Sorry, I just don’t get that.

[Publius]

Fiorello LaGuardia's first words as mayor in December 1933:

"E finita la cucagna!"

Translation: "The free lunch is over!"

[Roccus]

He just didn’t foresee the likes of O’Dwyer, Impelliteri, Wagner, Lindsay etc.

[Chode]

i'd love to be called WEST New York