KINGSTON, N.Y. — Representatives of the League of Women Voters Mid-Hudson Region urged Ulster County lawmakers this week to reconsider a proposal to downsize the county Legislature, saying it should be studied more thoroughly and done as part of the county's overall charter review.
Cynthia Bell, the league's Mid-Hudson Region president, and Dare Thompson, a member of the league's local and state boards, were the only two to speak on the proposal during a public hearing Tuesday evening.
Both questioned the reasoning behind the proposal to reduce the size of the Legislature to 21 members from the current 23, and they suggested lawmakers wait for the results of a study being conducted by the organization.
"While reducing the size of the Legislature may or may not be beneficial, the only explanation I’ve heard is that it will make it easier for this body to override an executive veto," Bell said. "I certainly hope that isn’t the only reason to move the balance of power in Ulster County Legislature."
Bell said the League of Women Voters has formed a commission to study the issues and suggested lawmakers wait until the next Charter Revision Commission is formed to consider any changes to the size of the Legislature.
Under the county charter, approved by voters in 2006, the county executive and Legislature must appoint a commission every 10 years to review the charter and make recommendations for changes to the document, which guides county government.
"There will be a time to revise the charter when these things can be fully debated by a commission, and that may be a better option," Bell said.
Thompson agreed. "There are many options," she said, noting the first county government meeting she ever attended was in Pennsylvania, where the county board consisted of only five members.
"We would like to study it and give you our wisdom and really have a conversation about this," Thompson said. "The charter shouldn’t be changed lightly, and this sounds a little premature. I hope we wait and give this more thought."
If approved by the Legislature, a proposition on the November 2020 ballot would ask Ulster County voters whether the size of the Legislature should be reduced from 23 to 21 members. If voters say yes, the reduced Legislature would be elected in November 2023 and seated in January 2024.
When Ulster County voters approved the charter 13 years ago, they also agreed to downsize the Legislature from 33 members to 23 members and transform the body from one in which several legislators served at large in one of 12 districts to one in which each legislator represents a single district.
Lawmakers were elected to the first downsized Legislature in November 2011 and took office in January 2012.
Supporters of the 21-member proposal say the reduction would financially benefit taxpayers, strengthen the legislative body, and lead to "more definitive action, a cleaner debate and less gridlock."
Opponents say a smaller Legislature could result in larger legislative districts, making it more difficult for the part-time lawmakers to meet with their constituents and represent their needs.
