What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New York voters to petition for a statewide referendum to veto recently enacted tax or fee increases.
Why it matters
Empowers voters to directly challenge new taxes and fees. By allowing citizens to petition for a statewide referendum, this amendment gives the public a direct tool to overturn recently enacted tax, fee, or surcharge increases—potentially increasing government accountability and responsiveness to taxpayer concerns.
Sets a relatively high but achievable threshold for action. The requirement that petitioners gather signatures equal to at least 5% of the previous gubernatorial vote—plus ensuring half are from outside New York City—means only measures with broad, cross-regional support can reach the ballot, preventing overuse while still enabling grassroots mobilization.
Automatically suspends targeted tax or fee increases upon valid petition filing. If a qualifying petition is submitted, the contested law is put on hold until voters decide, providing immediate relief from new fiscal burdens and increasing the urgency for lawmakers to justify such measures to the public.
Could significantly alter the state’s legislative and fiscal landscape. By introducing a “people’s veto,” this amendment would shift power from the legislature to the electorate on revenue-raising decisions, with potential impacts on state budgeting, political campaigning, and the balance between urban and non-urban interests.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Voters Repeal New Laws
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Voters Repeal New Laws
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3553
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GARBARI- NO, MONTESANO, RAIA, SALADINO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to article 1 of the constitution, in relation to establishing a procedure for a people's veto of laws enacted by the legislature
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That article 1 of the constitution be amended by adding a new section 19 to read as follows:
§ 19. People's veto. 1. Petition procedure; petition for people's veto. Notwithstanding any other section of this constitution to the contrary, upon a written petition of the electors of the state, the number of which shall not be less than 5 percent of the total vote for governor cast in the last gubernatorial election preceding the filing of such petition, filed in the office of the secretary of state, on or before the ninetieth day after a bill shall have become law pursuant to article 4, section 7 of this constitution, which increases, extends, imposes, or revives any tax, fee, assessment, surcharge or any other such levy or collection, requesting that such law or part or parts thereof, be referred to the people, such law or part or parts thereof as are specified in such petition shall not take effect until 30 days after the governor shall have announced by public proclamation that the same have been ratified by a majority of the electors voting thereon at a general election. At least one-half of the signatures shall be from electors residing outside of a city with a population of one million or more.
2. Effect of referendum. The effect of any law or part or parts thereof as are specified in such petition shall be suspended upon the filing of such petition. If it is later finally determined, in accordance with any procedure enacted by the legislature, pursuant to the constitution, that such petition was invalid, such law or part or parts thereof shall then take effect upon the day following such final determination.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89029-01-7
A. 3553 2
3. Referral to electors; proclamation by governor. As soon as it appears that the effect of any law or part or parts thereof has been suspended by petition in manner aforesaid, the governor by public proclamation shall give notice thereof and of the time when such measure is to be voted on by the people, which shall be at the next general election, not less than 60 days after such proclamation.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.