NY voters asked to consider land swap, inmate work

ALBANY -- Voters across New York will be asked next week to pull the lever on a minor land swap in a remote northwestern corner of the Adirondacks. On a second ballot question, voters will decide whether inmates can do volunteer work for nonprofit groups.

In return for six acres that National Grid is already using for a new 46-kilovolt power line along Route 56 in the town of Colton, the state will get 43 acres of the utility's land, also in St. Lawrence County. It's a deal municipal officials, environmentalists and businesses support.

The other constitutional amendment would authorize the Legislature to pass bills that would let state and local inmates work for nonprofit organizations operated for religious, charitable or educational purposes.

The election is Nov. 3. 

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