City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on Wednesday described the goals of her legislation that could create a new Charter Revision Commission.

“We have to have a commission that, number one, reads the charter and, number two, takes the time, once they understand the depth and the breadth of the constitution of the city of New York, to make an informed decision on how to move forward,” Adams said.


What You Need To Know

  • City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams introduced legislation Wednesday to launch a Charter Revision Commission

  • Adams said the commission could revisit the Council's Advice and Consent legislation that would have given them more oversight over mayoral appointments

  • The commission could propose ballot changes as early as the 2025 general election through the 2026 election

The commission would be tasked with reviewing the city’s governing document known as the city charter and ultimately proposing changes to it.

The commission would consist of 17 members, the majority appointed by the speaker, with input from the mayor, public advocate, comptroller and borough presidents.

“We are prioritizing a pro-democracy commission,” Adams said. “Charter Revision Commissions have to be thoughtful, deliberative and focused on improving the city charter to benefit the lives of New Yorkers.”

The push to create the commission comes as the Council and the mayor have been at odds over their respective powers.

Earlier this year, the Council attempted to have more oversight over commission-level appointments. But Mayor Eric Adams blocked the effort when he called his own commission that ultimately proposed ballot questions — which will go before voters in about two weeks.

The speaker said the topic could be revisited under the commission.

“That is certainly a consideration for us. Our bill and legislation on advice and consent is still very much an item,” Speaker Adams said. “I think particularly because of the things that have happened over the last several months. I think there is no greater time to revisit that.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Adams seemingly welcomed the new commission on Tuesday during his weekly question-and-answer session with reporters.

“The balance of power. She has her balance, I have my balance, and that’s why the scales of justice are aligned and equal, and I enjoy being in this city and country where the balance of power is crucial, she should not have all the power, I should not have all the power,” Mayor Adams said.

Mayor Adams disputed reports Tuesday that he plans to call another commission next year to block any Council efforts again.

“If the speaker wants to do a commission based on the law, she can do that. If we want to do one based on the law, we can do that,” he said.

If the majority of the City Council passes the bill, the commission would be empaneled and could propose ballot questions as early as the 2025 general election and as late as the 2026 general election.