REMARKS
Explanation of the 2022 charter amendments for racial equity
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Council Member Williams provides an overview of the 2022 charter amendments aimed at promoting racial equity in New York City.
- The amendments resulted from a multi-year process started in 2021 by the Racial Justice Commission (RJC).
- Key changes include adding a preamble to the city charter, requiring a citywide racial equity plan, and creating the Office of Racial Equity (MOERJ) and Commission on Racial Equity (CORE).
Nantasha M. Williams
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Today, we are focusing on a very important topic, the implementation of the city's 2022 charter amendments to promote racial act 20.
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These amendments came about as a result of a thoughtful multi year process commenced in 2021 under then Mayor Bill De Blasio establish the racial justice commission or RJC for sure.
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RJC examined historical and present day racial and equities in New York City, and in its findings, it recommended revisions to the city's charter to help eliminate structural barriers to racial equity.
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This committee held a hearing on RGC's proposed ballot measures with the goal of learning more about their process for identifying structural barriers.
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Their engagement was experts and impacted communities and the conclusions drawn that led to their proposals.
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These proposed amendments were passed by referendum by an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers during the November 2022 elections.
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They have officially took effect in December of 2022.
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Now a year and a half later, this committee is looking to learn more about their implementation in progress so far.
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The amendments are as follows: 1st, the addition of a preamble, which serves as a statement of value to the city charter to guide government and its decision making and understanding its duties to all New Yorkers.
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2nd, the charter now requires a buy NEO process of citywide and agency planning and reporting with the goal of eliminating racial inequity also known as a citywide racial equity plan.
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The racial equity planning process was developed in time to coincide with the budget planning cycle in order to ensure the city's budget aligns with and supports New Yorkers' equity priorities.
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Lastly, the city was required to create an office of racial equity and a mission on racial equity now known as MOERJ and core respectively.
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MOERJ is designated as the lead agency ratio equity and is tasked with working across city agencies to improve equity and government operations and planning.
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Core is designed to lead engagement with communities, affected by racial, and other forms of an equity across the city, and to champion their voice is in the halls of government.