Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo convened a Moreland Commission to investigate the corruption that seems to ooze from the state capital these days. I applaud putting legislators on notice, but let's be honest about what a Moreland Commission is: a Band-Aid over a hemorrhage.
We need to make more changes. In the private sector, when a corporation files for bankruptcy, it must be reorganized. Clearly, our political system is bankrupt and needs to undergo a massive reorganization. What we need is a Constitutional Convention.
Why would a New York City mayoral candidate be calling for dramatic changes in the state constitution? Because Albany's corruption and ineptitude have directly and adversely impacted the quality of life of New Yorkers across the five boroughs. To address challenges like expanding mass transit, creating affordable housing, rooting out corruption, and fully funding our schools, our partner, the state Legislature, actually needs to function.
The way to change how Albany does business is to embed principles of good government in our constitution. We need:
Tough term limits to bring new faces, and with them new ideas, to Albany while putting corrupt career politicians out of business.
Campaign finance reform to help disrupt the public office-to-prison pipeline that has made our state a laughingstock.
Independent redistricting to end voter disenfranchisement.
Nonpartisan elections to create democratic competition.
A unicameral Legislature to save taxpayers millions of dollars and create accountability.
New Yorkers deserve a public referendum on a Constitutional Convention. It offers a chance to reclaim control of government.
The writer is a Democratic primary candidate for New York City mayor.
