On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams’ Charter Revision Commission released its final ballot proposals.

The proposals come just two months after the commission was initially established.

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Eric Adams' Charter Revision Commission on Tuesday recommended five ballot proposals for November 

  • The proposals range in topic from sanitation to women- and minority-owned business to public safety 

  • The five proposals will block the City Council's push to get their advice and consent bill before voters this fall

Adams defended the work of the body before its final report was released later in the day.

“We’re doing the right thing. People came and shared their opinions and now this independent body of people [is] going to give us their recommendations. We’re going to move forward,” he said at his weekly press conference with reporters.

The five ballot proposals range from street cleaning to businesses to public safety. One proposal looks to give the Department of Sanitation authority to clean city property beyond just sidewalks and streets. 

Adams applauded the work of the commission.

“I’m really impressed with how we showed we could do something that many people thought was impossible. Great job,” he said.

Some of the other proposals look to dilute some of the power of the City Council, including requiring a fiscal impact statement for all proposed legislation.

The mayor’s office, along with the City Council, would have to provide estimates. 

Another proposal would require additional steps in the legislative process for bills affecting the police, corrections or fire departments. Under the proposal, the mayor could hold his own public hearings on the proposed legislation. 

Earlier Tuesday, City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg defended the quick work of the commission. 

“I really don’t think if something is rushed or not is the right word. I think the better word to ask was it efficient. Was it inclusive?” Zornberg said.

The commission held hearings in all five boroughs, with some of them poorly attended.  

However, Charter Revision Commission spokesperson Frank Dwyer later told NY1 overall 7,500 people attended a hearing in person or over Zoom, with the commission getting another 2,300 written submissions.

With the proposals finalized, the City Council’s separate effort to have more mayoral oversight has now been blocked. City law allows any referendum pushed by the mayor to supplant all other ballot questions.

News of the ballot proposals were met with fierce opposition by the council.

“This Mayor’s sham Charter Revision Commission has done a disservice to New Yorkers by putting forward rushed proposals that block voters’ rights while undermining democracy and oversight of the Mayor’s administration,” a spokesperson for the City Council wrote in a statement.

Saying that local lawmakers had little input with the Charter Commission, the City Council wants the commission to let the council’s referendum remain on the ballot.

The commission is set to vote on the final five proposals on Thursday.