2024 Charter Revision Commission proposes sweeping reforms to shape future of New York

The 2024 New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) has unveiled a preliminary report featuring significant recommendations aimed at modernizing and enhancing city governance.

These proposals encompass a range of critical areas, including fiscal responsibility, public safety, support for minority- and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs), and the modernization of various city policies.

After extensive hearings across all five boroughs and input from over 80 New Yorkers, including experts, elected officials, and advocacy groups, the CRC’s recommendations focus on making the city’s charter more responsive to the needs of its residents. With over 1,400 written comments and numerous in-person and virtual testimonies, the report represents a collaborative effort to reform and update the city’s guiding document.

Fiscal Responsibility:

Introduce earlier financial impact assessments for new legislation.
Align the budget process with the City Council’s legislative powers.
Update capital planning to integrate infrastructure needs into the Ten-Year Capital Strategy.

Public Safety

Enhance deliberative processes for public safety legislation, incorporating feedback from the community, agencies, and unions

Support for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses

Streamline and improve services for M/WBEs to promote their utilization and success.

Modernization Initiatives

Film Permitting: Empower the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment to issue film permits.
Public Bonds: Eliminate outdated bond requirements for public officials.
Waterfront Development: Simplify the permitting process for waterfront construction.
Clean Streets: Expand responsibilities of the Department of Sanitation for cleaner streets and city-owned properties.
Combining Advisory Boards: Merge the Archival Review Board with the Archive, Reference, and Research Board.
Resident Feedback: Conduct regular surveys to gather and publish resident feedback on quality-of-life issues and service delivery.

The CRC invites New Yorkers to provide further feedback on these preliminary recommendations through a series of public hearings scheduled in all five boroughs. These sessions will allow residents to voice their opinions and help shape the final proposals that will appear on the ballot in November’s general election.

“Serving on my third New York City Charter Revision Commission — for my third different mayoral administration — is an incredible honor,” said CRC Chair Carlo Scissura. “Our esteemed and diverse group of commissioners has relished this opportunity to hear the passionate voices and unique perspectives of New Yorkers from across the city, and we are eager to dig in further on the issues presented in this report, hear from even more New Yorkers, and determine the best proposals for November’s ballot.”

“No matter where you live or grew up, your race, religion, or creed, there is one unifying opinion all New Yorkers share: we all want better, more efficient, and a more transparent government,” said CRC Vice Chair Dr. Hazel N. Dukes. “Now, with the key recommendations in this report as a guide to continue this important work, my fellow commissioners and I will continue our public service for this commission and ensure the city’s charter better serves every New Yorker.

Upcoming events

Queens: Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at NYC Department of Design and Construction Multipurpose Room
Brooklyn: Thursday, June 27, 2024, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Medgar Evers College
Manhattan: Monday, July 8, 2024, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Bronx: Thursday, July 11, 2024, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Fordham University McShane Center Great Hall