By love-89.com City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is poised to introduce a proposal to establish a Charter Revision Committee within the City Council aimed at reviewing and improving New York City’s governance documents. This proposal is set to be formally submitted on Wednesday, the 23rd, and it could significantly alter the balance of power between the City government and the City Council.
According to the *Daily News*, the proposal centers on creating a committee led by the City Council, with members appointed jointly by the Mayor, the Public Advocate, and the borough presidents. This committee will be tasked with reviewing and recommending amendments to the City Charter and developing proposals for a charter revision referendum. If approved, the committee plans to initiate a ballot proposal starting in 2025.
Adams stated that the Charter Revision Committee controlled by Mayor Eric Adams has compromised the “norms of good governance,” indicating the need to reset standards to ensure that city operations align more closely with the interests of residents rather than political maneuvering.
This statement is perceived as a counter to Mayor Adams’ announcement earlier this summer regarding his own Charter Revision Committee. In May, Speaker Adams had proposed expanding the City Council’s power to review city government personnel appointments.
In July, the Mayor established his Charter Revision Committee, proposing several charter amendment referenda that are set to be voted on by the electorate in November. This move has been criticized by the City Council, who argue that it is an attempt to suppress related legislative initiatives pushed by the Council.
Mayor’s spokesperson Liz Garcia commented that the administration would review the Speaker’s proposal. She underscored that the Mayor’s Charter Revision Committee provides working-class citizens an opportunity to share their visions for a safer, more affordable city and expressed anticipation for the results of the upcoming voter referendum in November.
Louis Cholden-Brown, chief attorney for former Council Speaker Corey Johnson, remarked that Speaker Adams’ latest action demonstrates the political power of the Council, but cautioned that this process could potentially consume substantial time and resources while remaining fraught with uncertainty, leaving the ultimate outcome uncertain.
As Adams introduces her proposal, Mayor Eric Adams is facing legal troubles, having been indicted in September on charges of bribery, telecom fraud, and secretly soliciting foreign donations. He has pleaded not guilty and is working to restore public trust in his administration, even as several troubled senior officials have resigned in recent weeks.