Written by Staff

Oct. 29, 2014: Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, less than a week away. Last week's issue of MyhometownBronxville.com covered the candidates running for New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, and statewide offices (governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and several judges) who are on the ballot.

This article covers the three propositions on the ballot with the pros and cons for each taken from the website of the League of Women Voters and candidates running for Westchester County Court, Supreme Court Justice - 9th Judicial District, and Westchester Family Court.

All of the information was taken from the League of Women Voters website (http://www.vote411.org/), which, for the candidates, obtained the information from questionnaires completed by the candidates.

Proposals 

Proposal Number 1: An Amendment, Revising State's Redistricting Procedure

Text of Proposal Number 1: The proposed amendment to sections 4 and 5 and addition of new section 5-b to Article 3 of the State Constitution revises the redistricting procedure for state legislative and congressional districts. The proposal establishes a redistricting commission every 10 years beginning in 2020, with two members appointed by each of the four legislative leaders and two members selected by the eight legislative appointees; prohibits legislators and other elected officials from serving as commissioners; establishes principles to be used in creating districts; requires the commission to hold public hearings on proposed redistricting plans; subjects the commission's redistricting plan to legislative enactment; provides that the legislature may only amend the redistricting plan according to the established principles if the commission's plan is rejected twice by the legislature; provides for expedited court review of a challenged redistricting plan; and provides for funding and bipartisan staff to work for the commission. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?

"PROPONENTS of the amendment argue that this will create a fairer redistricting process that bans political gerrymandering, has a clear timeline and creates new opportunities for public participation. Proponents further argue that composition of the proposed commission is a significant improvement because it prohibits those with conflicts of interest, including legislators, from serving on the commission. They also argue that since the proposed commission will include representation from majority and minority parties in each house, in addition to appointees who are neither Republicans nor Democrats, it will allow for meaningful participation in the process by minority parties and third parties."

"OPPONENTS of the amendment argue that it does not go far enough in adequately reforming the redistricting process. They object to the fact that eight of the ten commissioners are appointed by legislative leaders and are critical of the legislature's power to amend the plans if they fail to achieve legislative approval after two votes. They argue that this is the equivalent of the legislature drawing its own lines since the Commission's plans are ultimately approved by the legislature. In addition, opponents object to the proposal's requirement that future mapmakers must consider the core of existing districts when drafting new ones. Opponents also argue that the structure of the commission will result in partisan gridlock and that voting rules for both the commission and legislative approval are overly complex."

Proposal Number 2: An Amendment, Permitting Electronic Distribution of State Legislative Bills

Text of Proposal Number 2: The proposed amendment to section 14 of Article 3 of the State Constitution would allow electronic distribution of a state legislative bill to satisfy the constitutional requirement that a bill be printed and on the desks of state legislators at least three days before the Legislature votes on it. It would establish the following requirements for electronic distribution: first, legislators must be able to review the electronically-sent bill at their desks; second, legislators must be able to print the bill if they choose; and third, the bill cannot be changed electronically without leaving a record of the changes. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?

"PROPONENTS of the amendment argue that allowing bills to be distributed to the desks of members in electronic form will save taxpayer dollars and reduce paper waste. Proponents suggest that this amendment offers an environmentally friendly alternative to paper bills and will help modernize the way state government operates."

The League of Women Voters of New York State could not identify any organizations or expressed opinions in opposition to this amendment.

Proposal Number 3: An Amendment, The Smart School Bond Act of 2014

Text of Proposal Number 3: The SMART SCHOOLS BOND ACT OF 2014, as set forth in section one of part B of chapter 56 of the laws of 2014, authorizes the sale of state bonds of up to two billion dollars ($2,000,000,000) to provide access to classroom technology and high-speed internet connectivity to equalize opportunities for children to learn, to add classroom space to expand high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, to replace classroom trailers with permanent instructional space, and to install high-tech smart security features in schools. Shall the SMART SCHOOLS BOND ACT OF 2014 be approved?

"PROPONENTS of the amendment argue that disparities of classroom technologies exist across school districts and the Act will increase students' access to classrooms that are equipped with advanced technologies, enabling them to gain the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century."

"OPPONENTS of the amendment have argued that the technologies will be obsolete by the time the state is finished paying for them. Others have expressed concern that equipping classrooms with advanced technologies without ensuring the availability of personnel that know how to use and train others on the technology could result in underutilization. Also, opponents feel that public dollars should only be allocated to public schools, rather than parochial or private schools."

Judgeships

Westchester County Court

Anne Minihan (D, R, C, WF), Principal Court Attorney and Acting Village Justice, Croton-on-Hudson

City/Town of Residence: Town of Cortlandt, Village of Croton

Current Political Office: Acting Village Justice, Croton-on-Hudson

Education: Pace University; Pace University School of Law

Campaign Website: http://www.JudgeMinihan.com 

Campaign Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Campaign Phone: 914-965-0022

Please state what you would like voters to know about your experience, accomplishments, philosophy. 
"Judge Minihan has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney serving Westchester County. Following her service with the District Attorney's Office in Westchester, she was appointed as Acting Village Justice in Croton-on-Hudson. She has also served as an Acting City Court Judge in Peekskill, Mount Vernon, Yonkers and White Plains, Acting Town Justice in Cortlandt, Yorktown and Eastchester and Acting Village Justice in Buchanan." 

Anne Minihan is running unopposed.

Supreme Court Justice - 9th Judicial District

District includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester counties; 14-year term

Montgomery J. Delaney (R, C)

Candidate did not respond to the LWV questionnaire

James Hubert (D, IN), Acting Supreme Court Justice, 9th J.D.

City/Town of Residence: Greenburgh, NY

Current Political Office: Elected Westchester County Court Judge, 2007

Education: JD, Boston College Law School, 1982; BA, Brown University, 1975

Prior Civic Service: Greenburgh Town Justice, 2004-2007; Greenburgh Town Planning Board, 1999-2004; Greenburgh Town Board of Ethics, 1996-1999; Board of Directors, Greenburgh Housing Development Corp.; Bureau Chief and Major Crimes Prosecutor, Queens County District Attorney's Office, 1982-1993

Campaign Website: http://www.JudgeHubert2014.com

Campaign Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Campaign Phone: 917-882-7436

Please state what you would like voters to know about your experience, accomplishments, philosophy.
"A practicing attorney and judge for 32 years, I serve as Acting Supreme Court Justice, 9th J.D. Responsibilities include trials, hearings and dispositions of all forms of civil cases: medical malpractice and other torts, matrimonial, foreclosure, contract and commercial litigation. I seek election to the job I have performed the last two years. Previously assigned all phases of serious criminal cases. Experience matters. It leavens and tempers my judgments, which is critical to a just outcome."

Westchester Family Court (2 justices)

Rachel Hahn (D, WF), Attorney

City/Town of Residence: Scarsdale, New York

Education: Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, JD, 1987; Pennsylvania State University, BA, 1984

Prior Civic Service: Coordinator, NYS Office of Court Administration, Attorney for the Child Contracts; Counsel, Office of Matrimonial and Family Law Study and Reform; Chief Court Attorney, NYC Family Court; Court Attorney Referee, NYC Family Court; Principal Court Attorney, Office of the Administrative Judge, NYC Family Court; Court Attorney, Trial Part, NYC Family Court; Staff Attorney, NYC Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Division; Volunteer Mediator, Westchester Mediation Center of CLUSTER

Campaign Website: http://www.electrachelhahn.com 

Campaign Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Campaign Phone: 914-946-8400

Please state what you would like voters to know about your experience, accomplishments, philosophy.
"Rachel began legal work in the area of Family Law 26 years ago as an Attorney for the Child. Rachel recognized at that time that she could make a positive difference in the lives of children and families. Since then, she has dedicated her professional career to working in the Family Law area. Rachel spent several years working in the New York City Family Court and for the NYS Unified Court System. Rachel is rated highly qualified by the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission."

Arlene Katz (D, WF, IN)

City/Town of Residence: Scarsdale, New York

Current Political Office: Acting Scarsdale Village Justice

Education: Emory University School of Law, JD; State University of New York at Albany, BA

Prior Civic Service: Westchester County Magistrates Association, Past President; The (Teen) Center @ 862, Board of Directors; Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling Service, Past President; Pace University School of Law, Trial Advocacy Judge; Ad Hoc Committee to Study Feasibility of Youth Court; Westchester Reform Temple, Caring Community Committee; League of Women Voters; Westchester-Putnam Girl Scout Leader; Junior League of Central Westchester; Scarsdale Forum; Secor Farms Neighborhood Association; PTA Committees

Campaign Phone: 914-602-2210.

Please state what you would like voters to know about your experience, accomplishments, philosophy.
"Judge Arlene Katz has served as Acting Village Justice in Scarsdale for 18 years. Judge Katz is committed to ensuring that those who appear before her are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. With 28 years of legal experience Judge Katz has the knowledge and ability to relate to families and children in need and to listen with patience and compassion. Judge Arlene Katz has a judicial temperament which is well suited for the highly charged issues which come before the Family Court."