Since 1847, the NYS constitution requires that if the state legislature wants the state to take on debts over a certain $ amount, its 2 houses (the senate and assembly) would have to pass a law explaining the specific purpose of the debt, and then ask NYS voters if they want the state to take on that debt.

In 1911, the NYS legislature asked the voters:

Re "Chapter 746 of the Laws of 1911, providing for the issuing of bonds by the Comptroller to an amount not exceeding nineteen million eight hundred thousand dollars, at the rate of interest not exceeding four percentum per annum, for the purpose of furnishing proper terminals and facilities for barge canal traffic, including the acquisition and interchange of property therefor with a view to improving and fostering the commerce of the State, at a general election held in the said State, on the 7th day of November, 1911..."

And the voters said: Yes!