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Q&A
Discussion on the political strategy of a charter change for even-year elections
0:19:57
·
78 sec
Commissioner Carl Weisbrod questions John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany on the benefits of a New York City charter change for even-year elections, given that it ultimately requires a state constitutional amendment.
Kaehny responds that such a charter change would send a strong political signal to Albany, demonstrating NYC voter support and building momentum for the state-level changes.
Carl Weisbrod
0:19:57
Yes.
0:19:58
Thank you very much for your testimony.
0:20:00
You suggested that we support even your elections.
0:20:07
As you know, we don't have the power in New York City to unilaterally establish even your elections.
0:20:17
We need state a state constitutional amendment.
0:20:21
What is the advantage of making that charter change now without knowing in advance what the state legislature and the potential state constitutional amendment will do or what conditions such an amendment might place on what New York City could do?
John Kaehny
0:20:41
It sends a strong signal politically to Albany that New York City voters, support even your elections, and that will help, get the charter changed through the legislature.
0:20:53
And then when the charter is before voters statewide, builds momentum for it to pass.
0:20:58
So as a political precondition, it's very important.
0:21:02
You're right.
0:21:03
Legally, it it's not, but politically, it is.
0:21:06
And it also keeps Albany from doing the old, you know, you guys gotta go first thing.
0:21:13
So we think it's very important for New York City to put it through in the charter.