On November 3, New York City voters will decide whether to adopt the City Charter amendments proposed by the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE).
“Yes on COGE” is a coalition of advocacy organizations, good government groups, community groups, and local leaders in support of the passage of the amendments—and the unleashing of a faster, more effective city government delivering public sector excellence.
The Commission on Government Efficiency
Mayor Mamdani convened the Commission on Government Efficiency earlier this year, charging the Commissioners with exploring improvements to the City Charter in service of better government operations, such as “removing outdated bureaucratic barriers that slow infrastructure projects and delay services; equipping City agencies the authority, enforcement tools, and flexibility they need to deliver programs effectively; and modernizing government to improve efficiency and saving, reserve and budget practices” (see announcement).
The Commission was chaired by Patrick Gaspard, a former US ambassador with a distinguished career in New York City government. Its executive director was Ann Cheng, a former city assistant commissioner and recent Director of Strategic Initiatives for New York State (see all commissioners).
The Commission held two hearings in each borough to engage the public, and it solicited testimony from experts across issues. After months of research and public feedback, the Commission proposed five updates to the City Charter to be voted on by New York City voters this November.
About COGE
About the Ballot Propositions
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Cut the eight-month outdoor dining application process by 75% (to 2 months)
Save small businesses up to $1,800 on application costs and thousands of dollars of staff time
The Commission’s proposal would modify the revocable consent process that determines the use of public space by combining the sidewalk café and roadway dining revocable consent process into a single application and modernizing public notice requirements.
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Ballot prop will save up to 30 days on procurements
The Commission’s proposal would reduce burdens on small businesses and nonprofits by simplifying the pre-contracting questionnaire and requiring quarterly meetings of the Procurement Policy Board (PPB) to ensure consistent and transparent regulation of the City’s procurement system. The proposal would also allow the Mayor to delegate certain contract approvals to agencies, make permanent a public comment period instead of a public hearing for contract awards and streamline the issuance of the client services plan.
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Speed up street safety projects, including bike lanes, by at least 33%
Reduce time for sale of small plots of City land from seven months to 90 days
Unlock more than $200 million in revenue for the City from sale of small surplus lots
The Commission’s third proposal streamlines how the City uses its own property. The proposal would simplify review of street safety projects to reduce construction timelines and allow the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation to fast-track critical street infrastructure improvements where there is an identified, immediate safety need. Additionally, this ballot question fast-tracks the sale or lease of small City properties, the air rights above landmarked City properties and the lease of office space for City workers.
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Bring 40 approvals from 18 separate offices and agencies into one place, saving builders time and frustration
The Commission’s proposal would create a centralized permitting hub through which applicants could access and manage construction-related permits and approvals across City agencies. It would also allow additional divisions at the Department of Buildings to approve certificates of occupancy and centralize the City’s waterfront permitting process within the agency.
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Ballot prop establishes reserves target of 12%, aimed at ensuring long-term fiscal stability
The fifth ballot proposal would set a target amount of funds held in reserve — 12% percent of the City’s total tax revenues. The proposal would also require the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Comptroller, to establish a deposit formula that would govern mandatory contributions to the rainy day fund.
Learn more from the Commission’s final report, and read the full ballot text.
ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS ENDORSING THE PROPOSALS
The Coalition
Organizations
Abundance New York
Center for Public Enterprise
Citizens Union
Fiscal Policy Institute
Hotel and Gaming Trades Council
New Chelsea Democrats
Open Plans
Open New York
Regional Planning Association
Riders Alliance
Transportation Alternatives
Leaders
State Senator Erik Bottcher
Assembly Member Keith Powers
Assembly Member Tony Simone