Photo Courtesy of Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photography Office
Mayor de Blasio first mentioned the Charter Revision Commission at his 2018 State of the City address in February.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced the appointment of the 13 remaining members to the City’s Charter Revision Commission.
First announced in February at the 2018 State of the City address as part of de Blasio’s DemocracyNYC agenda, the 2018 CRC is tasked with proposing a plan to deepen the City’s campaign finance system and empower the government to enhance voter participation and improve the electoral process.
Additionally, as required by law, the commission will also review the entire Charter of the City of New York, hold hearings in all five boroughs to solicit public input, and issue a report outlining findings and recommendations to amend or revise it.
The City Charter is NYC’s constitution: the official, authoritative document that defines all aspects of Big Apple government – functions, obligations, bureaucracy, etc.
On Thursday, de Blasio appointed Carlo Scissura, Larian Angelo, Deborah Archer, Kyle Bragg, Marco Carrion, Una Clarke, Angel Fernandez, Sharon Greenberger, Dale Ho, Mendy Mirocznik, Annette Seecharan, John Siegel, and Wendy Weiser to the commission.
The CRC Queens connection is represented by Bragg, secretary treasurer of the union 32BJ SEIU and member of Community Board 13, which serves Bellaire, Bellerose, Brookville, Cambria Heights, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Laurelton, Meadowmere, New Hyde Park, North Shore Towers, Queens Village, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Warnerville, and Wayanda.
“It’s an honor to be appointed to the City’s Charter Revision Commission,” Bragg said. “Now more than ever, it’s incumbent upon all of us to ensure that our democracy is as inclusive as can be. I look forward to serving with this esteemed group to ensure that New York City is doing everything it can to increase voter participation and put democracy in the hands of the working people of our city, not the moneyed few.”
In March, the mayor announced the leadership of the CRC: Cesar Perales, chairman; Rachel Godsil, vice chairwoman; and Matt Gewolb, executive director and counsel. Scissura will be the Secretary of the Commission.
According to the administration, the CRC will begin its work immediately. It held its first organizational meeting this week and will convene its first public, borough confab next week.
“For democracy to truly function, we have to get big money out of politics,” de Blasio said. “In New York City, we’re committed to doing all we can to drive democracy and that starts with reviewing our Charter.”
Amazingly, de Blasio’s CRC won’t be the only commission charged with examining the City constitution. Last week, the City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of establishing its own Charter Revision Commission. According to several reports, the Council said the CRC mandate is to analyze the Charter and make revisions the panel deems necessary—not to be tasked with looking specifically at the City’s campaign finance system.
“The commission created by this bill would not have a pre-determined set of issues to consider, but would instead be empowered to examine broader questions about New York City government,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson, according to the New York Daily News.
De Blasio has reportedly indicated that he will sign said bill into law.
