The New York City Council is rushing to reassert control in its ongoing power struggle with Mayor Eric Adams after suffering a painful defeat in the November vote.
Lawmakers on Wednesday voted 49-1 in favor of forming their own Charter Revision Commission. It comes after voters supported four of the five initiatives that were “rushed” onto the ballot this year by a vote of an ad hoc committee called “Fake” backed by Hitzzoner.
The City Council's efforts could be in vain if Adams decides to create another committee to supersede that effort again in accordance with state law.
City Council President Adrian Adams, who is not related to the mayor, accused the mayor's own committee of potentially “using political weapons.” The mayor's previous committee has been inactive since the ballot proposal was passed last week.
“The Mayor's recent Charter Revision Commission, comprised solely of Mayoral appointees, rushed the process of putting Propositions 2 through 6 on the ballot without any meaningful input or consideration from New Yorkers,” she said Wednesday. , he spoke plainly at a press conference at City Hall.
“It would be a huge mistake for the Mayor to attempt to repeat the abusive and undemocratic use of another completely self-serving Charter Revision Commission.”
The November voting plan emerged after the mayor opposed a plan proposed by the speaker that would have given the council the power to approve city government leaders.
At the time, Adams claimed that the mayor was trying to give himself the title of New York's “king” by proposing new mandates that would make it harder for lawmakers to pass legislation.
A city spokesperson said the mayor's commission gave New Yorkers an opportunity to “share our vision for a safer, more affordable city.”
More than 750 New Yorkers attended the CRC meeting, and more than 2,300 submitted handwritten petitions, the city confirmed.
All but one proposal to create a new role to support minority- and women-owned businesses passed on the November ballot.
Among the bills passed in honor of the City Council is one that would authorize the Mayor's Budget Office to issue reports on the fiscal impact of bills it is considering, and one that would allow lawmakers to hold public hearings on bills that concern public safety. The bill included a bill that would require 30 days' notice regarding the Agency.
Speaker Adams downplayed the results, saying the proposal “passed by a narrow margin” and that there was insufficient time for voters to fully understand the proposal.
The council's new ad hoc committee aims to “improve transparency and accountability,” according to Adams, and is appointed by the speaker, mayor, public defender, comptroller and all five borough leaders. He said it will be composed of 17 members.
It would also give the city the power to submit amendments to the city charter after reviewing submissions at least eight months before the 2025 general election and at least 20 months before the 2026 general election.
The mayor's office has not announced whether a new committee will be established.
