2012 Conference Executive Record Report.pdf - YMCA of Greater ...

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STATE OF NEW YORK
YMCA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT
BILL NUMBER AL - 31
INTRODUCED BY: Donavan Swanson Precious Asiedu
AN ACT:
TO: Restrict the amount of time an individual or family can live within public housing.
The People of the State of New York, represented in the
Senate and Assembly do enact as follows:
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to improve New York City’s communities containing public housing. Public housing
has increased social and criminal activity causing the state more money and has supported generations of non-working to
low incoming families forming an unhealthy dependency on the state.
Summary of Provisions
Section 1
Public Housing: affordable housing provided and regulated by the public based on income and needs
(elderly, disabled, etc.)
HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Section 2
This bill will essentially place a time limit on each current and entering family in the NYSHA system.
This time limit would be created by HUD to help regulate and create an appropriate scale of for the amount within the
family and the amount of time they are able to stay. Any elderly or disabled persons or not included within this new
change. If a person exceeds their time limit they may apply again for public housing but may be required to prove
financial stability and a course for other housing goals.
Justification
Although public housing has provided low income families with an opportunity for shelter and support
it has formed an unhealthy dependency on residents and provided a cesspool for criminal activity and wasted tax dollars.
According to the New York State Housing Bureau Comspstat, from 2009 to 2010 a 2.3% increase was found in crime
within Public Housing along all five boroughs of New York City. These crimes include murder, rape, robbery, felony
assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto; the total for 2010 being 4,183. Not only is this number
unacceptable for public housing grounds, but a reflection on the number of criminals entering the system alone from
crimes committed in Public Housing. Criminal Activity in these houses is a response to generations of the same families
living there breeding the same laid back, financially secure attitude. By pressuring families to exceed beyond the
minimum expectation and incorporate themselves into reliable, independent citizens of New York State. In 2008 NYCHA
held over 403,000 residents living in 178,000 apartments, home to 5 percent of New York City’s population with a budget
of $2.8 billion dollars. That $2.8 billion dollars is a sum of states taxes that all residents of NYS contributed to and the
federal government. It is time for a change.
Fiscal Implications
If this bill passes, Revenue sources such as government financial programs will receive money back from the
very same people they once provided shelter for, these people will now be able to pay taxes and make a living for
themselves. Depending on the age group and the number of family members there are, that can determine how much
money the family will save. Saving money is important because they will be able to provide proper food, clothing,
education, etc. for themselves and/or their children (if any). This bill not only helps the lives of New York state residents,
however, it also helping the state’s budget. There is a possibility of more taxes entering the state’s budget, but the system
will still continue, just not everyone will remain in the system to get government assisted help.
Effective Date
This bill would go into effect starting January 2014.
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STATE OF NEW YORK
YMCA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT
BILL NUMBER AF - 07
INTRODUCED BY: Tyler Nappo, Daniel McDowell, and Jolien VanNieuwenhuizen
AN ACT
TO: Allow registered independents to vote in primary elections.
The People of the State of New York, represented in the
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to allow independents to vote in primary elections, which will create a more balanced election
and will make candidates less partisan.
Summary of Provisions
Section 1: Definitions
State Primary-A preliminary election in which presidential candidates are chosen by their political party.
Independent-A voter with no major political party affiliation.
Open Election-A primary election where independents are allowed to vote.
Section 2: Provisions
Enrolled members of a party, or registered independents entitled to vote in the nomination of a candidate for public office
or the election of such party, and equal in number to at least the number of signers required to designate a candidate for
such office or position may file with the officer or board with whom or which are filed designating petitions for such
office or position a petition requesting an opportunity to write in the name of a candidate or candidates, who need not be
specified, for such office or position. Upon the receipt of such petition, such office or position shall be deemed contested
and the primary ballots of the party shall afford an opportunity to vote thereon. Requests for an opportunity to write in the
names of candidates for two or more offices or positions may be included in the same petition. Such petitions shall be
subject to objections and court determination thereof in the same manner as designating petitions so far as the provisions
therefor are applicable. All required notices shall be served on the members of the committee named in the petition. A
signature to a petition for an opportunity to ballot in primary elections made earlier than sixteen days before the last day
to file designating petitions for the primary election shall not be counted.
Justifications
Forty percent of Americans are registered independents. As of now, in 18 states, including New York, these citizens are
deprived the right to vote in primary elections. Because of this, candidates tend to be more partisan, which doesn’t allow
them to address problems that affect all Americans. While presidential candidates are more partisan during primaries, the
often switch to more moderate views for the national election. This can mislead the voters, and give candidates
inconsistent beliefs, which can be dangerous. In our democratic society, all Americans should exercise their right to vote.
32 states allow open primaries, and New York should follow.
Fiscal Implications
There are no fiscal implications.
Effective Date
This bill will go into effect exactly one year after its passage.