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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, N.Y. (October 21, 2024) — Citizens Union has released the following statement in response to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’s announcement that she will propose legislation creating a new Charter Revision Commission:

“We applaud Speaker Adams for committing to re-establish strong standards for the charter revision process and for pledging to use the commission to strengthen our city rather than for political gamesmanship. Her proposals to allow at least eight months for the commission’s work, provide representation for all city elected officials, and prioritize thorough public engagement are critical for regaining public trust after the flawed process of the last charter revision commission. 

However, the proposal seems to provide the Speaker with a majority of appointments. The next commission should not be constructed to give the City Council sole control over the charter revision process. The commission’s appointments should be more evenly distributed, or there should be a supermajority voting requirement that would encourage agreement from members appointed by officials from both the executive and legislative branches.

The 15-member commission created by the City Council in 2018 included four appointments for the Speaker, four for the Mayor, and one for every other citywide and boroughwide elected official, with a quorum requirement of over half of the members. We urge the Council to follow a similar approach this time. Amending the City Charter is a serious endeavor—it sets the rules by which our city is governed, and it should not be subject to the political jousting between a particular mayor or city council.”

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