REMARKS
Lincoln Restler introduces Intro 1088-A and discusses the Charter Revision Commission
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3 min
Council Member Lincoln Restler, chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation, introduces Intro 1088-A, a bill sponsored by Speaker Adrian Adams to create a Charter Revision Commission. Restler emphasizes the importance of this initiative in improving city government operations, restoring public confidence, and enhancing accountability and transparency.
- The proposed Charter Revision Commission will include appointees from various city officials and will seek meaningful input from New Yorkers.
- Restler highlights the recent hearing on the legislation, which provided valuable feedback on ensuring the commission's success.
- He stresses the need for this initiative in light of recent events, including the indictment of Mayor Adams, to restore faith in city government.
Lincoln Restler
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Good morning.
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My name is Lincoln Ressler.
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I'm the chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation.
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I would like to thank my colleagues who have joined us today, especially our 3 Republican colleagues who showed up, council member Inavernikov, council member Vicky Paladino, council member David Carr of Brooklyn, and council member Shahana Hanif.
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Today, we'll be voting on intro 1088 a, a bill sponsored by our speaker, Adrian Adams, to create a charter revision commission empower that is empowered to revise our city charter.
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I'm grateful that speaker Adams is spearheading this this effort to bring experienced new to think about how we can improve the operations and the efficacy of our city government and restore confidence in the public sector.
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Our speaker is a wise leader who's prepared to make the unusual choice of spending her political capital on achieving long term goals that will benefit future generations of New Yorkers.
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Her commitment to strengthening checks and balances and enhancing accountability in our city government will, over time, provide more New Yorkers the help they deserve and better ensure our government our government honoree operates honestly.
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I also admire and share her deep pride in the institution of the city council.
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The Charter Revision Commission created by this legislation will consist of members appointed by the speaker, the mayor, the controller, the public advocate, and each of the borough presidents, all the key elected officials in our city government.
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They will come together with ample time, opportunity, and commitment to solicit meaningful input from New Yorkers across our city.
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We had an insightful hearing on this legislation the other week where we were joined by Eric Lane, executive director of the famous 1989 Charter Revision Commission, former speaker Chris Quinn, Susan Lerner, and others.
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We heard valuable feedback about how we can ensure the commission is successful, from making sure we have strong that's fine.
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We have strong appointees and well staffed and a well staffed commission to create public engagement and hearing process that allows for input at all stages of the process, including the very beginning and the very end.
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We know that the success of this commission hinges on its ability to establish trust with New Yorkers and create a process that includes real meaningful input.
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When we improve the structure of city government, we can deliver better outcomes for New Yorkers.
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This moment in our city's history requires us to advance transparency, accountability, and integrity.
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Just as the 89 Charter Revision Commission created the structure and framework for our city government to thrive over the ensuing decades, I'm hopeful that this new undertaking by speaker Adams will recalibrate the balance of power, ensure real accountability of elected officials, and restore faith in our city government.
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This is the right deliberate path forward.
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I think it's worth noting that in this moment of crisis in our city government with the indictment of mayor Adams, it's important for us to be soliciting meal real and meaningful feedback on how we can improve the integrity of our government.
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I'd like to conclude by thanking the committee staff, Jace Reganapathy and Erica Cohen for all their hard work.
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And now I'd like to ask the Clerk to call aid the roll.
