New York City Bar Association Urges Caution on Charter Revisions

Strategic Insights -

The New York City Bar Association has released a statement urging the 2010 Charter Revision Commission to be cautious in its proposals for changes to the city's charter. The Association is concerned that the Commission is rushing to place various proposals on the November ballot without sufficient study and voter education. The Bar's statement highlights the need for longer terms for City Council members to act as a check and balance on Mayoral authority and advocates for more time to examine and discuss proposals for consolidating various tribunals into one agency.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New York City Bar Association urges the 2010 Charter Revision Commission to propose at least three four-year terms for City Council members to act as a check and balance on Mayoral authority.
  • The Association believes that longer terms for City Council members are necessary to develop substantive and political expertise to counterbalance the Mayor's significant authority and presence.
  • The City Bar is concerned that the public has not been made sufficiently aware that it is possible to implement different term limits for different offices or the benefit of that.
  • The Association recommends studying the consolidation of the Environmental Control Board (ECB) with the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) to understand best practices and processes.
  • The City Bar advises the Commission not to rush its work and to allow for extra time to strengthen the end product and increase public confidence in the Commission's integrity and interest in hearing the public's opinion.

Statistics:

  • Thousands of administrative hearings are conducted annually by New York City and its agencies in a variety of specialized tribunals.
  • The Association believes it may be difficult for the Commission to obtain, analyze, and reflect on the information required to effectuate a consolidation of the City's tribunals within the time frame for the 2010 ballot.

Sources:

  • Association of the Bar of the City of New York- Statement responding to the July 9, 2010 Preliminary Staff Report and Recommendations of the 2010 Charter Revision Commission.