Today, Mayor Adams’ Charter Revision Commission voted to adopt five proposals to be placed on voters’ ballots in November, including several to expand mayoral power over land use decisions. In response to the decision, Speaker Adrienne Adams, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Majority Leader Amanda Farías, Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Justin Brannan, Keith Powers, Carlina Rivera, Rafael Salamanca Jr., and Sandra Ung issued the following statement:   

“Since 2022, the Council has approved over 120,000 units of housing and secured more than $8 billion of additional investments to make housing more affordable and better support neighborhoods. This progress for our city would not have been possible without the Council’s role in the land use process. Mayor Eric Adams’ Charter Revision Commission conveniently ignored these facts to advance a self-serving narrative in support of expanded mayoral power, even as his administration hypocritically overturned housing at the Elizabeth Street garden that was approved years ago by the Council. This commission’s misguided proposals would undermine the ability to deliver more affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, good-paying union jobs, and neighborhood investments for New Yorkers across the five boroughs.” 

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