Press coverage
A Proposal to Give Voters the Power to Oust a N.Y.C. Mayor
By James Barron at The New York Times
June 10, 2025
Right now, only one person in all of New York State can remove New York City’s mayor from office — Gov. Kathy Hochul.
A commission appointed by the City Council says that 5,126,009 other people should have a say.
That is the total number of registered voters in New York City. Last week, the commission suggested creating a new legal option to kick out a mayor — a ballot proposition to decide whether the Council should be given the authority to begin removal proceedings.
Voters could be given the option to vote on removing NYC mayors from office
By Briana Scalia at FOX 5 NY
June 8, 2025
New Yorkers could soon have the power to remove sitting New York City mayors over misconduct. A Charter Revision Commission, the NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy, recommended that voters be given the opportunity to vote on a new removal process for New York City mayors.
For context, Charter Revision Commissions are temporarily appointed government bodies that review the New York City Charter, which is essentially the framework for how the city is governed. These commissions can propose changes to the charter that are then voted upon by the public in a general election.
New Yorkers Can’t Remove Mayors for Misconduct. That Could Change Soon.
By Emma G. Fitzsimmons at The New York Times
June 6, 2025
After Mayor Eric Adams of New York City was indicted last year on federal corruption charges, he faced steady calls for his resignation or removal.
He did not resign. And Gov. Kathy Hochul, the only person in New York empowered to force a mayor to leave office, declined to begin removal proceedings.
Now a group of city officials want to create another legal option to kick a mayor out of office.
City Council Charter Panel Proposes Independent Lease Review After Adams Scandal
By Greg B. Smith at The City
June 6, 2025
The charter review commission convened by the City Council will recommend tightened oversight of city government leases, following reports that an appointee of Mayor Eric Adams steered a lease to the billionaire owner of a Wall Street office building who’d donated generously to the mayor’s legal defense fund.
The commission is set to release its preliminary recommendations for a wide variety of reforms to the city charter on Friday. In December the Council set up a charter review board, known as the Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy, in response to Adams creating his own commission, which has recommended changes to the charter that would curb the Council’s powers over development.
NYC Council charter commission wants to up funding for oversight agencies
The Charter Revision Commission convened by the New York City Council unveiled a handful of ballot proposal recommendations Friday aimed at beefing up the budgets of independent oversight agencies like the Department of Investigation, the Conflicts of Interest Board and the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
The budget-related recommendations, shared exclusively with City & State ahead of their release, come as the commission reviews the city’s governing document, soliciting input through public hearings on ways to improve government operations and to strengthen democracy. That process officially kicked off earlier this year after the City Council passed legislation last fall to form the 17-member commission – a move spurred by Mayor Eric Adams’ controversial efforts to assemble his own panels to review the city charter.
June 6, 2025
By Sahalie Donaldson at City & State New York
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy Hosts Meeting in Bronx
By Ariel Pacheco at Norwood News
June 2, 2025
The NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy hosted a public hearing on Bronx land use issues at the Bronx Museum of the Arts on May 12. The Commission says its goal is to improve and restore public confidence in City government by enhancing accountability and transparency.
The Commission reviews New York City’s Charter, holds hearings, and proposes initiatives to strengthen democracy. Meetings like the one held at the Bronx Museum of Arts are intended to use testimony from the public to help develop proposals to improve city government. The meeting was also open to join via Zoom.
NYC Council’s Charter Commission holds hearings on curbing mayoral powers
May 22, 2025
By Ariama C. Long at Amsterdam News
The New York City Council Charter Revision Commission (CRC) hearings on government accountability and strengthening local democracy are underway, not to be confused with the Mayor’s CRC.
The dueling commissions kicked off last summer, when Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams went head-to-head over the advice-and-consent law, among other things.
Advocates call for budget transparency at Staten Island meeting of Council’s charter commission
By Paul Liotta at SI Live
May 15, 2025
One of two City Charter Revision Commissions heard testimony Wednesday night in Livingston with the focus set on the city’s $115 billion budget.
Most people who testified at the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden proposed ways to make that massive budget more transparent and democratic to the Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy, a charter revision commission the City Council convened late last year.
Charter Commission hears Bronx backlash over zoning and land use policies
By Sadie Brown at Bronx Times
May 14, 2025
Community members, advocates, and elected officials gathered at the Bronx Museum of the Arts on Monday to testify at a public hearing on revising New York City’s governing document—the City Charter.
The hearing, hosted by the City Council-appointed Charter Revision Commission, is part of an ongoing effort to gather input from residents and lawmakers before proposing changes that could appear on the General Election ballot. The City Charter serves as the foundational framework for city government, outlining how agencies are created and how power is distributed across various branches and local bodies.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2025
Press release
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy Applauds Passage of A.3665A/S.590A, Ending Mayoral “Bump” Power Over Local Ballot Proposals
NEW YORK, NY — The NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy celebrates the passage of A.3665A/S.590A by the New York State Legislature. This essential reform closes a longstanding loophole that allowed mayors to suppress competing ballot proposals.
The legislation, sponsored by Assembly Member Tony Simone and State Senator Liz Krueger, repeals the so-called "bumping" provision in Municipal Home Rule Law § 36(5). For decades, this provision has granted mayors the unilateral power to prevent charter amendments they dislike from appearing on the ballot by hastily convening a charter revision commission, effectively monopolizing the democratic process.
"This bill closes a dangerous loophole that has been used to sideline the voices of voters and local elected officials alike," said the Commission in a statement. "It is a critical safeguard against abuse and a foundational step toward restoring public trust in New York City's democratic institutions."
Danielle Castaldi-Micca, Executive Director of the Commission, praised the Legislature for taking action: "Our democracy works best when it reflects the voices of all New Yorkers, not just the politically powerful. This reform ensures that all charter proposals—whether they are initiated by the Council, a charter revision commission, or by citizen petition—can compete on a level playing field."
The misuse of the "bump" provision has drawn widespread criticism for decadesIn 1998, Mayor Rudy Giuliani submitted a proposal to block the Council's referendum related to the construction of a Yankees stadium. Most recently, in 2024, Mayor Eric Adams employed the same tactic to derail a City Council measure that required Council confirmation of key mayoral appointments despite substantial public backing.
Arva Rice, Co-Chair of the Commission and President and CEO of the New York Urban League, emphasized the reform's impact on civic empowerment: "Too often, communities of color and grassroots advocates have seen their priorities erased from the ballot by political maneuvering at the top. This legislation is about equity and access. It puts the power of the ballot back where it belongs: with the people."
With this legislative fix, all proposed charter amendments (whether initiated by the City Council, a charter revision commission, or through a grassroots petition) will be treated equitably and appear on the ballot side by side. Conflicting proposals will now be decided by voters based on their support rather than political gamesmanship.
Henry Garrido, Co-Chair of the Commission and Executive Director of District Council 37, hailed the reform as a win for working New Yorkers:
"When working people push for change, whether it's housing, accountability, or worker protections, their voices should be heard at the ballot box. This bill stops the political manipulation that has stifled meaningful reform for too long."
The Commission commends the leadership of Assembly Member Simone and Senator Krueger, as well as the many advocates and New Yorkers who have fought to protect and strengthen participatory democracy at the local level.
"We believe this bill will help re-establish a level playing field for civic engagement in New York City," the Commission added. "It represents a powerful message: that no single officeholder should be able to override the will of the people."
The bill now awaits the Governor's signature.
CONTACT:
James Dezell
Communications Director
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy
Ana Rosales
Communications Associate
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2025
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy Releases Sweeping Recommendations to Improve Government Accountability, Budget Transparency, and Land Use Equity
NEW YORK, NY — Today, the NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy released a comprehensive set of updated staff recommendations following six weeks of public hearings across all five boroughs. These refined proposals are intended to guide the Commission as it continues its work to advance government accountability, transparency, and community-driven policy in New York City.
The updated memo outlines proposed reforms to key oversight agencies, including the Department of Investigation (DOI), the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB), and others. In addition to enhancing the structural independence of watchdog agencies, the recommendations include new ideas for expanding the City Council’s role in appointments, curbing unchecked emergency powers, increasing budget transparency, and strengthening fair housing planning.
“These updates reflect what we’ve learned from New Yorkers: Real democracy means more than just elections,” said Danielle Castaldi-Micca, Executive Director of the Commission. “It means real oversight, real transparency, and ensuring that the public has a voice in decisions that impact their daily lives. These proposals are designed to make our city government work better for everyone.”
Among the Recommendations:
Codifying minimum funding and independence protections for oversight agencies.
Expanding the Council’s advice and consent power to include 33 new agency commissioner appointments.
Creating a public process for mayoral misconduct review and possible removal by ballot referendum.
Enhancing budget transparency through reforms to impoundment powers and reporting on reserve funds.
Supporting equitable community planning through targeted reforms to the land use process.
“The people of this city deserve a government that reflects their values and priorities, not just in rhetoric but in structure,” said Arva Rice, Co-Chair of the Commission. “By strengthening how our city’s democracy functions, we are laying the foundation for a more just and inclusive New York.”
What’s Next:
The Commission will hold its third round of public hearings in the coming weeks to gather further feedback on these proposals and additional ideas from the public. Upcoming hearing topics include Budget Transparency, Government Accountability, and Land Use — to be held across the five boroughs, both in-person and via Zoom, with translation and ASL services provided.
Upcoming Hearings
Monday, June 16th - Government Accountability
5-7 PM
Wagner College, Manzulli Board Room
1 Campus Rd, Staten Island, NY 10301
Tuesday, June 17th - Budget Transparency
5-7 PM
Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, 2nd Fl.
3415 Olinville Ave, Bronx, NY 10467
Monday, June 23rd - Government Accountability
5-7 PM
Museum of the City of New York, Ronay Menschel Hall
1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, Manhattan, NY 10029
Thursday, June 26th - Land Use
5-7 PM
Sunset Park Library, Community Rooms 1/2
5108 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Tuesday, July 1st - Final Hearing
5-7 PM
Queens Public Library, Central Branch, Auditorium
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11432
Visit our website at www.thecommission.nyc to register.
About The Commission:
The Commission was created to comprehensively review the City Charter and recommend reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and strengthen local democracy. The 17-member Commission includes appointees from every borough-wide elected office, the Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, and City Council Speaker, ensuring broad representation of New York's diverse communities.
CONTACT:
James Dezell
Communications Director
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy
Ana Rosales
Communications Associate
NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy