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Q&A
Citizens Union's perspective on member deference versus final legislative authority
2:10:35
·
69 sec
Chair Richard R. Buery Jr. asks Ben Weinberg about the implications of maintaining Council authority for housing development obstacles and what reforms Citizens Union might support. Weinberg acknowledges member deference is problematic but difficult to address via charter, emphasizing their core concern is preventing a shift of final land use power to the executive.
- Weinberg notes member deference is an issue but may not be solvable through charter changes.
- Citizens Union's primary focus is maintaining the Council's role as the final legislative decision-maker on land use, guarding against overreach by the executive branch.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
2:10:35
ask the question, mister Weinberg?
2:10:37
Please.
2:10:37
What impact did that then have on the challenges you've heard, we've discussed around the obstacles to developing health?
2:10:43
And what what then would be the reform, if so, if any?
Ben Weinberg
2:10:47
So, again, many of the proposals that were heard today are, not necessarily do not necessarily involve the question of who has that final decision making powers.
2:10:57
And and, they are a positive reform, which I'm I'm sure we would support many of them.
2:11:04
The the one issue I think we all agree on is member deference as as kind of an an inside issue of the legislative branch, which, it seems like most of the people around here, including us, are not, in favor of.
2:11:18
And we are aware of the problems and difficulties of actually legislating member deference or regulating it through the city charter.
2:11:27
However, our point is kinda broader about who has the final say over language matters and whether that should be the legislative body or any other or or the executive.
2:11:35
And our concern is really about shifting too much power to the executive in, the kind of final say over where things get built.
2:11:44
Thank you.
2:11:44
Understood.