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 1916, the NYS legislature asked the voters:

"Shall chapter (here insert the number of the chapter) of the laws of nineteen hundred and sixteen, entitled 'An act making provision for issuing bonds to the amount of not to exceed ten million dollars for the acquisition of lands for state park purposes, and providing for a submission of the same to the people to be voted upon at the general election to be held in the year nineteen hundred and sixteen,' be approved?"

And the voters said: Yes!