The idea of partitioning New York state into three distinct regional governments has been gaining momentum, according to advocates of the concept.
This reorganization proposal would not involve secession; instead, it would establish three separate regional governments while still operating under a single state framework.
The regions would be delineated as the New York region (covering the five boroughs of New York City), New Montauk (comprising Long Island), and New Amsterdam (representing the remainder of the state).
Each of these regions would have its own governor and regional legislature.
Additionally, the regional legislatures would convene for six weeks annually to function as a state Legislature, fulfilling the U.S. Constitution’s requirement.
While previous propositions to restructure New York state often resulted in media coverage without substantive discussion, John Bergener, chair of the Divide NYS Caucus, believes the current momentum is different.
To modify the state Constitution in favor of this change, the Legislature would need to pass, and the governor must approve, a bill in back-to-back sessions, followed by a public referendum vote.
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