Statement on Proposed NYC Charter Questions – Don’t Glom Streets and Office Space 

In response to questions from journalists and other stakeholder groups, Reinvent Albany has prepared these comments on the proposed final recommendations of the 2026 NYC Charter Revision Commission or Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE). As of writing this statement, the Commission has released an executive summary of its proposed final report, as well as draft charter amendments, but has not yet formally adopted the ballot proposals or approved a final report.  

Solid Public Outreach Given Limited Time
We thank the members of COGE and its staff for their extensive outreach efforts, which drew thousands of New Yorkers from all walks of life to numerous public hearings. The hearings included in-depth conversations with dozens of fiscal and policy experts from numerous organizations across the City. Despite a very short timeline since its creation by the Mayor, COGE heard from New Yorkers and engaged with them in a thoughtful and respectful way. 

Disappointed Our Recommendations Not Heeded
While we appreciate their efforts, naturally we are disappointed that COGE did not include our two major recommendations: strengthening oversight agencies and eliminating unnecessary reporting requirements.  

We continue to believe that strengthening oversight agencies like DOI and COIB by providing them with independent budgeting and appointments is an incredibly cost-effective way to boost fair and effective government. Research suggests that for every $1 spent on agencies like DOI, NYC prevents at least $18 in waste, fraud, and abuse. 

Secondly, we presented specific ways the City could more easily eliminate the many outdated and unnecessary reports included among the 2,000 reports agencies are required to produce by local law. Though truly arcane, we think this is an obvious area where the City could save talented – and hard to recruit and retain – agency staff experts from wasting their time and money far better spent delivering services to the public. 

COGE Should Limit Each Ballot Question to a Single, Distinct Subject
City Charter ballot questions are one of the few opportunities New Yorkers have to vote directly on important policy decisions – some of which are extremely complex. We think it is self-evident that voters should be presented with ballot questions that ask them to decide on a clear, specific proposal that has a single, coherent purpose – not an agglomeration of unrelated topics. We believe a single ballot question should not include multiple topics that touch upon different City Charter chapters, agencies, governmental functions, or constituencies.

Unfortunately, we think a number of the draft five ballot questions clearly violate the core principle that voters should not be presented with questions that combine multiple, dissimilar proposals – some a voter could reasonably support, and some they may oppose. We are not going to make a legal case here regarding how the courts interpret NYC Charter §41; however, we believe the Commission could be challenged in court if it adopts charter questions that contain multiple topics that are not sufficiently related.  

Reinvent Albany’s Positions Solely on Proposed
Ballot Questions 

Question #1: Streamline Process for Using Public Space for Uses like Outdoor Dining, Ramps, and Benches 

Reinvent Albany Position: Strongly Support

Question #2 and Related Non-Charter Reforms: Reform the Contracting Process to Improve Procurements, Including for Small Business and Nonprofits 

Reinvent Albany Position: Support

We strongly support quarterly meeting requirements for the Procurement Policy Board, which has not met on a regular basis, even while many important contracting policies should be addressed. We also support tailoring vendor questionnaires more specifically to industries to streamline data reporting. 

Question #3: Fast-Track Street Safety Infrastructure Including Bike Lanes and Bus Lanes, Acquisition of Office Space, and Activation of City Land 

Reinvent Albany Position: This question should be solely about streets, street safety, bike lanes, and bus lanes, all of which Reinvent Albany strongly supports. We are extremely unhappy with the way the Commission has combined these totally unrelated issues into one proposed question.

The question does not advance proposals that are germane to a common purpose, but rather separate, unrelated proposals. The acquisition of office space and activation of city land (ULURP vs. ELURP) are completely unrelated to street safety issues. It is highly likely that some voters would support the street safety proposal, while opposing the unrelated office space and land proposals. As proposed, this question does NOT advance a single, coherent governmental purpose: The street proposals are in no way related or legally, managerially, or organizationally interdependent with the other two elements. 

Question #4: Simplify Building Permitting 

Reinvent Albany Position: Strongly Support

This proposal sensibly brings 40 approvals from 18 separate offices and agencies into one hub for permitting, saving builders time and frustration.

Question #5 and Related Internal Reforms: Set Contributions Goals for Rainy Day Fund to Ensure Sufficient Budgetary Reserves 

Reinvent Albany Position on Charter Question Only: TBD pending final ballot question. 

We endorse the Citizen Budget Commission’s six recommendations to the Commission to strengthen the proposal.