Mayor Zohran Mamdani don dismantle one charter revision commission wey former Mayor Eric Adams create, and he announce new panel wey go focus on overhauling city government. Dis move don set up legal and political fight for di future of open primaries for New York City.
Mamdani new body, wey dem call Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, go examine bureaucratic delays, infrastructure bottlenecks, and agency operations before dem propose ballot questions for November election.
“Di Commission on Government Efficiency go take hard look at how City government dey function and identify di reforms we need to deliver faster, smarter and more effectively for working people,” Mamdani tok for statement to Politico. “Restoring faith for government start with proving government fit actually deliver.”
Di move come few days before June 1 deadline wey state lawmakers create wey give Mamdani authority to accept or reject Adams commission. Adams establish di Charter Revision Commission on December 27, di same day Mamdani take oath of office, and e name David Dinkins as chair.
Di panel quickly move to advance ballot proposals wey include creating open primary system for local elections. Critics see di commission as attempt to complicate Mamdani political future. Under open primary system, independent voters and members of oda parties fit participate for local primaries, wey fit reshape di city heavily Democratic electorate.
Adams commission expand im agenda last week, adding proposals tied to antisemitism and restrictions on elected officials raising dem own salaries. On Wednesday night, di panel formally approve ballot question on open primaries. Mamdani respond hours later by filing paperwork wey rescind di commission.
Di mayor replacement panel include veterans from several mayoral administrations and leaders from labor and business circles. Patrick Gaspard, longtime Democratic operative and adviser to Mamdani, go chair di commission. Oda appointees include former de Blasio aides Emma Wolfe, Marco Carrión and Kapil Longani, along with former Giuliani and Bloomberg administration official Marc Shaw. Kathy Wylde, former head of Partnership for New York City, and DC37 Executive Director Henry Garrido go also serve for di panel. Former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger join di roster as well.
Di commission plan to hold 10 public hearings across di city before dem consider proposals for November ballot. According to fact sheet wey City Hall release, di panel go examine ways to remove bureaucratic barriers wey delay projects and services while modernizing city operations and budget practices.
Adams commission no show sign of backing down. “Dis commission go continue to do im work, and now e don put open primaries and nonpartisan elections for di ballot,” Randy Mastro, Adams former first deputy mayor and di commission pro bono counsel, tok on Wednesday night. “Dere no alteration of im status, and whatever attempts to alter im status go certainly raise legal issues wey need to be explored.”
Adams panel convene Wednesday evening for Bronx to hear testimony wey support open primaries. Several speakers argue di current system dey exclude unaffiliated voters and dey reward candidates for political extremes. Di executive director of Queens Republican Party oppose di proposal, warning e go hurt Republican candidates.
Adams commission also propose ballot measures wey aim at “addressing antisemitism, hate crimes and protester interference with houses of worship,” issues wey don fuel criticism from some opponents of Mamdani. Di panel future hearings also face uncertainty after Glow Community Center for Queens dispute claims say dem agree to host June hearing. “We recently receive some inquiries regarding potential use of our space and inquire about di standard rate, but at dis point, I no dey aware of any booking or arrangement wey formally confirm,” one representative for di center tok for email.
State Attorney General Letitia James back Mamdani new commission and frame di effort as attempt to streamline city government. “Di mayor know New Yorkers deserve efficient government wey quickly deliver childcare, housing, and public infrastructure — and dat mean tackling di red tape and outdated barriers for our city charter wey block progress,” James tok. “COGE na smart, ambitious approach to modernize our government and deliver excellence to all New Yorkers.”
