Ballot proposals

New York voters will decide the fate of two constitutional amendments Tuesday.

Proposition One allows the exchange of state forestland for construction of the new power line along Route 56 in the St. Lawrence County town of Colton. The line, which is already activated, brings hydropower from the Crary Falls Reservoir to Tupper Lake, acting as a backup in the event the sole power line now serving the village fails.

Following the highway would have taken the line through constitutionally protected Forest Preserve.

As proposed, National Grid will receive six acres of land along the highway corridor to avoid a six-mile detour through other environmentally sensitive forestland. The detour would pass through old-growth forest and endangered spruce grouse habitat with 95 stream crossings and in return, the company would donate to the state a parcel of equal or greater value. It would be added to the Forest Preserve.

Proposition Two lifts restrictions on state prisoners voluntarily working with nonprofit organizations. The constitution says inmates of state and local correctional facilities cannot "be farmed out, contracted, given or sold to any person, firm, association or corporation" except for state or local governments and public institutions.

Inmates cannot work with churches, educational institutions and nongovernmental social agencies. Lifting the ban has a twofold benefit.

The agencies, often with fiscal troubles, could use the voluntary labor that would not replace employees. In return, inmates would have a sense of returning something to the community. The proposal allows more opportunities for the inmates.

The amendment would require enabling legislation to implement the change. It should include provisions for adequate security and protecting public safety, but that should not be a major obstacle since such provisions are already in place with current practices.

Voters should approve both propositions on Tuesday.