For Release: IMMEDIATELY, Friday, June 11, 2010

Contact: Laurie Ammerman, 518-455-5073/518-229-4632, ammerml@assembly.state.ny.us

Penn Yan, NY – Is Albany working for you?

That was the question Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) asked
the taxpayers present tonight at a Town Hall workshop hosted by the Finger Lakes Tea Party Patriots at
the Penn Yan Middle School Auditorium. Kolb was joined by his colleagues, Assemblyman Jim
Bacalles (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Thomas O’Mara (R,C,I – Big Flats), and the three
discussed their support for a “People’s Convention to Reform New York,” and described how it could
deliver the positive change that New Yorkers of all political parties – and regions – have been
demanding.

The People’s Convention to Reform New York is a grassroots, non-partisan reform effort to
empower citizens so they can take back their state government and, in the process, chart a positive, new
direction for New York. Some of the issues that could be considered during a People’s Convention
include fiscal reforms like a property tax and state spending cap, debt reform, along with a ban on
“backdoor” borrowing and unfunded mandates. Governmental reforms such as initiative and
referendum, an independent Legislative Redistricting Commission, term limits for Legislative Leaders,
ethics reform and a succession plan for state offices could also be considered as part of a People’s
Convention.

Kolb also discussed his non-partisan legislation, “The People’s Convention to Reform New
York Act,” Assembly Bill A.9157. If enacted, the bill would put the question of whether New York
should convene a People’s Convention on the 2010 ballot; by law, this question automatically goes
before voters in 2017. The non-partisan measure would move up the opportunity for reform by seven
years, accelerating the state’s ability to enact long overdue and much-needed changes. The legislation
specifically requires that any elected official seeking to run as a delegate for, or serve in, the People’s
Convention must first resign their office.

“There is a growing feeling among New Yorkers that their state government has stopped working for
them – that it’s grown too costly, unresponsive and disconnected from the lives of those it was supposed to
serve. It is time New Yorkers took their state government back – it begins by convening a ‘People’s
Convention,’ which is the first step toward restoring accountability,” said Kolb, who noted that over 2,200
people have already gone to www.reformny.org and signed the on-line petition in support of a People’s
Convention.

“I am proud to join with members of the Finger Lakes Tea Party Patriots as well as local
families to discuss this very important issue,” said Bacalles. “Effective ideas to improve our state
government like a ‘People’s Convention to Reform NY’ must be voted upon by the full Legislature in
Albany. I am glad Leader Kolb traveled to the Southern Tier this evening to share his views on this
truly democratic way to make government work for the people again.”

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People’s Convention Press Release
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"We are very excited to host this Town Hall meeting and provide a way for the community to
get involved in their local and state government. State government is broken; holding a People's
Convention could be a possible fix. The people that attended this Town Hall meeting got the
opportunity to see how government works and does not work," said Finger Lakes Tea Party Organizer
Sandy King.

“Taking control out of the hands of our dysfunctional political leaders and putting it into the
hands of the people is just what New York State needs,” O’Mara said. “We have let the special
interests stop progress in Albany for far too long. A People’s Convention to Reform New York is just
the change that the State Capitol needs.”

Bacalles represents the 136th Assembly District, which includes Steuben and Yates counties.
O’Mara represents the 137th Assembly District, which includes Chemung, Schuyler and Tioga counties.
Kolb’s 129th Assembly District is located in the Finger Lakes region and contains Cayuga, Cortland,
Onondaga, Ontario and Seneca counties.

Town Hall meetings will also be held in Owego on June 17, Elmira on June 24 and Mount
Kisco on June 30. For further details on the People’s Convention, go to www.reformny.org, and follow
Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb on Twitter and Facebook.
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