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 1912, the NYS legislature asked the voters:

"Shall chapter two hundred and ninety-eight of the laws of nineteen hundred and twelve, entitled 'An act making provision for issuing bonds to the amount not to exceed fifty million dollars for the purpose of constructing and improving state and county highways, and providing for a submission of the same to the people to be voted upon at the next general election held to be held in the year nineteen hundred and twelve,' be approved?"

And the voters said: Yes!