Today, the New York State Senate passed S. 590/A. 3665, which would protect ballot access for charter revision proposals advanced by New Yorkers or local elected officials from being blocked by mayoral-enacted charter revision commissions, and increase transparency requirements for commissions. Passed by the New York State Assembly on Tuesday, June 10, the state legislation would address vulnerabilities in state law governing the process for localities to revise their charters. The City Council passed a resolution in support of the state law on March 12. In response to the passage of the state legislation, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams issued the following statement. 

“New Yorkers deserve a government that is accountable to them, and that includes the right to offer ballot proposals without being blocked by political interference. Charter Revision Commissions should be serious, thoughtful, and inclusive, providing a path for advancing proposals that improve democracy and our government. This state legislation is critical to protecting the rights of voters and their elected representatives to have ballot access, while ensuring the process for charter revisions is transparent. I thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senator Liz Kreuger, Assembly Member Tony Simone, and the entire State Legislature for their support of this bill to protect local democracy and faith in good governance. I urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign this legislation into law.” 

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