Rockefeller Institute neutral on convention

Dear Editor: Re “LETTER: Listing who opposes and why you should oppose a constitutional convention,” by Mitch Newman, Oct. 9, 2017: The letter mischaracterized the Rockefeller Institute of Government’s position with respect to the upcoming constitutional convention vote.

Newman writes inaccurately that “the Rockefeller Institute states that ‘the risks outweigh the rewards.’”

In actuality, Newman pulls a title of a summary piece out of context. The actual title is: “‘The Risks Outweigh the Rewards’: Who Are the Opponents of a Constitutional Convention and What Are Their Arguments?”

The statement in our writer’s piece is in quotation marks because we are quoting a statement made by an opponent of a constitutional convention. Our piece is a summary of their arguments, not our position. See for yourself at bit.ly/2sqKi46.

We are an educational organization and have no position other than educating voters about the convention. We do allow for both sides to voice their opinions.

Sadly, like this letter, there has been a lot of misinformation disseminated about the convention to voters.

Our mission is to present the facts to allow New Yorkers to make an informed decision one way or another.

Jim Malatras, President Rockefeller Institute of Government