The New York Metropolis Council Constitution Revision Fee (CRC) hearings on authorities accountability and strengthening native democracy are underway, to not be confused with the Mayor’s CRC.
The dueling commissions kicked off final summer time, when Mayor Eric Adams and Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams went head-to-head over the advice-and-consent regulation, amongst different issues.
Shortly after the regulation’s introduction, the mayor convened his fee to alter the town’s structure, with a selected emphasis on public security and “fiscal accountability,” which most noticed as a surreptitious option to overturn legal guidelines and knock off poll measures he didn’t agree with. It is a frequent tactic, generally known as “bumping,” that many former New York Metropolis mayors have used.
The council retaliated with the enactment of Native Regulation 121 of 2024, permitting them to convene their very own CRC to in the end restrict mayoral powers within the metropolis’s structure. The council fee consists of 17 commissioners, 9 of whom are appointed by Speaker Adams. Others are appointed by the mayor, public advocate, comptroller, and 5 borough presidents. The council fee is co-chaired by District Council 37 Govt Director Henry Garrido and New York City League President & CEO Arva Rice.
“These hearings have continued our effort to solicit proposals from coverage specialists and the general public on substantial, efficient amendments to the town constitution,” mentioned Garrido. “The constitution is our metropolis’s foundational doc. As a result of the constitution performs a significant position in establishing the construction
and procedures of metropolis authorities, it shapes how selections are made on a variety of points affecting on a regular basis New Yorkers. The fee has been in panel to conduct a radical assessment of the constitution and craft proposals to be put earlier than the voters. Whereas this fee was convened by way of native regulation handed by the Metropolis Council, we’re an impartial physique, [and] whatever the deserves of any proposals that may be achieved by native regulation, we is not going to possible contemplate any proposals that weaken native democracy.”
Up to now, the council’s CRC has mentioned problems with land use, reasonably priced housing, tenant protections, displacement, lack of group voice in improvement selections, and transparency with the town price range.
The listening to on Monday, Could 19, held on the John Jay School campus, noticed testimony from electeds akin to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Councilmember Gale Brewer, Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, and State Senator Liz Krueger. They mentioned their concepts for enhancing the mayoral elimination course of, the mayor’s energy to nominate leaders on the Board of Corrections (BOC) and the Civilian Criticism Assessment Board (CCRB), and limiting the mayor’s govt and emergency powers.
“The workplace of the general public advocate acts as a watchdog to make sure that metropolis companies are environment friendly and efficient as mandated by the individuals of New York, as set forth in Part 24 of the New York Metropolis constitution,” mentioned Williams. “The workplace additionally investigates and resolves constituent complaints referring to the providers supplied by these companies. Because the second-highest rating elected official within the metropolis, nonetheless, my potential to totally serve New Yorkers will be undermined by the present language.”
Williams advised that the general public advocate’s workplace be given well timed entry to paperwork and subpoena powers to hurry up investigations and keep away from prolonged lawsuits. He added in his testimony that the BOC ought to obtain a minimal price range tied to 1% of the expense price range of the Division of Corrections (DOC), to permit for higher oversight.
As the general public advocate, Williams is within the distinctive place of being interim mayor ought to the present mayor resign or be faraway from workplace. Williams didn’t testify to particular strategies his workplace got here up with for enhancing the mayoral elimination course of, however did touch upon the “extra strained” relationship he has with Mayor Adams for the reason that public started calling for Adams to step down throughout his earlier authorized troubles.
“I believe if the mayor had as a lot love for the town as he had for himself, he would have taken it upon himself to make a unique choice than he did,” mentioned Williams. “I understood what a number of the struggles that folks have been going via, so I do know it was a troublesome place. I’m talking for myself — I believe the town can’t transfer away from the administration quick sufficient.”
In separate testimony, Rachael Fauss, a senior coverage advisor for Reinvent Albany, spoke about her group’s help for a two-step mayoral elimination course of that features a Metropolis Council vote and a public vote from New Yorkers in a Particular Elimination Election. This technique was first proposed by Residents Union (CU) of their 2025 report back to amend the town constitution and handle authorities overreach. Their proposal for elimination is to offer voters the means to carry the mayor accountable for misconduct, and is deliberately structured to keep away from the pitfalls of different elimination programs.
“The disaster of governance and corruption within the Adams administration has made it clear that New York wants a sensible course of to take away a mayor for critical misconduct,” mentioned John Avlon, board chair of Residents Union, in an announcement. “To make sure New Yorkers have the flexibility to carry a mayor accountable for violating their oath of workplace, we have to amend the Metropolis Constitution to determine an efficient, trustworthy, and honest elimination course of for abusing the general public belief. Our proposal is robust, mandates broad consensus, and protects due course of for the mayor.”
Krueger and Assemblymember Tony Simone sponsored Invoice S.590/A.3665, which goals to finish the bumping provision in New York Metropolis’s constitution, contemplating it “outdated and undemocratic.”
“I distinctly bear in mind Mayor Giuliani bumping off a voter poll query — they didn’t wish to pay for sports activities stadiums,” recalled Krueger. “He very a lot needed to pay for, I imagine it was the Yankee Stadium at the moment, and so he was satisfied he needed to give you some pretty ridiculous inquiries to go on the poll to be sure that the voters couldn’t say, ‘Why ought to we spend taxpayer cash to construct a sports activities stadium for a non-public firm?’ I do know I used to be indignant about it on the time, since I used to be a voter.”
Many who testified maintained that Mayor Adams shouldn’t be allowed to cancel out different public proposals, silence voters with political maneuvering, or block the council and citizen petitions from being voted on within the type of a poll measure.
The fee has upcoming public hearings from 5 to 7 p.m. at varied areas within the 5 boroughs. The final one meets on July 1, 2025.
Monday, June 16: Authorities Accountability
Wagner School, Manzulli Boardroom, 1 Campus Highway, Staten Island
Tuesday, June 17: Funds Transparency
Thoughts-Builders Artistic Arts Heart, 3415 Olinville Avenue, 2nd flooring, the Bronx
Monday, June 23: Authorities Accountability
Museum of the Metropolis of New York at, Ronay Menschel Corridor, 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Road, Manhattan
Thursday, June 26: Land Use
Sundown Park Library, Neighborhood Rooms 1/2 positioned , 5108 4th Avenue, Brooklyn
Tuesday, July 1: Ultimate Listening to
Queens Public Library, auditorium, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens
For extra info or the way to testify, go to www.thecommission.nyc/.
