Mamdani Commission Proposes Sweeping Charter Changes for November Ballot

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) has introduced a package of five ballot measures aimed at reforming city operations. The proposals, released on July 23, seek to expedite processes ranging from outdoor dining approvals to major street safety projects and construction permitting.

If the commission votes to adopt these measures, they will appear directly on the November ballot, bypassing the need for City Council approval. The commission reports that its recommendations follow a series of ten public hearings that gathered input from over 1,200 participants.

Key proposals include:

* **Public Space and Dining:** The plan would consolidate sidewalk and roadway dining applications and remove mandatory public hearings, a move the commission estimates could reduce approval timelines from eight months to two months. * **Street Safety and Land Use:** The measures seek to limit inter-agency sign-offs for transportation projects and allow for the fast-tracking of bike and bus lanes. Additionally, the proposal would implement an expedited review process for certain unused city-owned properties, potentially generating over $200 million in revenue. * **Contracting and Construction:** A centralized hub would be created to manage 40 different permits across 18 agencies. The commission also suggests reforms to the procurement process, which it claims could save up to 30 days on certain contract awards. * **Fiscal Policy:** The city would establish a rainy day fund target set at 12% of the previous year’s tax revenue, with a formal methodology for deposits to be determined by the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget in consultation with the comptroller.

These proposals arrive shortly after a Staten Island judge dismissed a legal challenge regarding a separate charter commission previously appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams. Justice Ralph Porzio ruled that the Adams-era commission expired legally, clearing the path for the current administration’s initiatives.

While the commission frames these changes as essential for government efficiency, several measures involve removing mandatory public hearings or reducing City Council oversight in favor of administrative review. The administration has stated that COGE will continue to function as an advisory body following the November election to identify further opportunities for reform.