PROPOSAL NUMBER TWO: AN AMENDMENT
FORM OF SUBMISSION (how the proposal will be presented to you on the ballot): Additional Civil Service Credit for Veterans with Disabilities Certified Post-Appointment
The proposed amendment to section 6 of article 5 of the Constitution would entitle a veteran who has received civil service credit for a civil service appointment or promotion and subsequently is certified as disabled to additional civil service credit at subsequent appointment or promotion. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?
WHAT WILL THIS AMENDMENT DO IF APPROVED?
The State Constitution currently grants veterans additional credit on civil service exams (5 points for an original appointment and 2 ½ points for a promotion). Disabled veterans are entitled to additional credit (10 points for an original appointment and 5 points for a promotion). Veterans are eligible for only one grant of additional credit, and so a veteran who is appointed or promoted before being certified as disabled currently is not eligible for the higher amount of credit he or she would have received if he or she had been certified as disabled before his or her appointment or promotion.
The proposed amendment would create an exception to the one-time-only additional credit rule. It would permit veterans who are certified disabled after having already received credit at one appointment or promotion, because of their status as veterans, to received additional credit one more time after certification of their disability. After being certified disabled, a veteran would be entitled to an additional grant of credit equal to the difference between 10 and the number of points received at the initial appointment or promotion. This would bring the total additional points of civil service credit such a veteran can receive to 10 for either an appointment or a promotion.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND ON THIS PROPOSAL?
Proponents of the amendment argue that it would benefit individuals who, through no fault of their own, were not classified as a veteran with disabilities at the time of their first civil service appointment. They say that veterans applying the credits will be less limited by time constraints, making them more likely to be hired to civil service positions. In addition, they note that veterans are more likely to be unemployed than the average citizen. They
argue that this amendment would not only increase employment opportunities for veterans, but would also help put their training and experience to work for the State and local governments.
The League of Women Voters of New York State could not identify any organizations or expressed opinions in opposition to this amendment.
PROPOSAL NUMBER THREE: AN AMENDMENT
FORM OF SUBMISSION (how the proposal will be presented to you on the ballot): Exclusion of Indebtedness Contracted for Sewage Facilities
The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 5 of the Constitution would extend for ten years, until January 1, 2024, the authority of counties, cities, towns, and villages to exclude from their constitutional debt limits indebtedness contracted for the construction or reconstruction of sewage facilities. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?
WHAT WILL THIS AMENDMENT DO IF APPROVED?
The proposed amendment would extend until January 1, 2024 the authority of counties, cities, towns and villages to exclude from their constitutional debt limits indebtedness contracted from the construction and reconstruction of facilities for the conveyance, treatment and disposal of sewage.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND ON THIS PROPOSAL?
The exclusion of sewer debt from the constitutional debt limits of counties, cities, towns and villages was originally authorized in 1963 for a ten-year period. When first enacted, the general purpose of the exclusion was to encourage and enable municipalities to participate in the State’s then-new sewer construction assistance plan without fear that, by incurring indebtedness for sewer purposes, they would diminish their power to incur debt for other capital improvements which they desired to undertake and finance. Reflecting the fact that water pollution concerns are continuing and require an ongoing effort, the exclusion has been subsequently extended for four successive ten-year periods. Without a further extension, the exclusion will apply only to debt contracted through the end of 2013. This amendment would permit the exclusion of such indebtedness until January 1, 2024.
Proponents of the amendment argue that the concerns addressed in 1963 and by subsequent extensions of the exclusion are still valid today. They note that although many pollution problems have been abated, there are still significant concerns that need to be addressed. Technology continues to evolve to make more efficient systems available, additional development necessitates the construction of new systems, and existing sewage treatment facilities age, necessitating reconstruction and refurbishment. Proponents say the amendment would allow municipalities to address these sewage needs without impairing municipalities’ ability to finance other essential capital requirements.
The League of Women Voters of New York State could not identify any organizations or expressed opinions in opposition to this amendment.
