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CHARTER REVISION'S REVISIONS

charter_revision_commission_banner_nyreblog_com_.jpgFINAL REPORT OF THE 2010 NEW YORK CITY CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION

After six months of public hearings and forums across the five boroughs, the New York City Charter Revision Commission has released its Final Report , which contains two ballot questions approved by the Commission for consideration by voters on Election Day.

City Question 1. Term Limits:  The proposal would amend the City Charter to:

  • Reduce from three to two the maximum number of consecutive full terms that can be served by elected city officials; and
  • Make this change in term limits applicable only to those city officials who were first elected at or after the 2010 general election; and
  • Prohibit the City Council from altering the term limits of elected city officials then serving in office.

Shall this proposal be adopted?

City Question 2.  Elections and Government Administration:  The proposal would amend the City Charter to:

  • Disclosure of Independent Campaign Spending: Require public disclosure of expenditures made by entities and individuals independent from candidates to influence the outcome of a city election or referendum;
  • Ballot Access: Generally reduce the number of petition signatures needed by candidates for city elective office to appear on a ballot; 
  • Voter Assistance and Campaign Finance Board: Merge voter assistance functions, including a reconstituted Voter Assistance Advisory Committee, into the Campaign Finance Board, and change when Campaign Finance Board  member terms begin;
  • Conflicts of Interest Law: Require all public servants to receive conflicts of interest training, raise the maximum fine for a public servant who violates the City's conflicts of interest law, and  allow the City to recover any benefits obtained from such violations;
  • City Administrative Tribunals: Authorize the Mayor to direct the merger of administrative tribunals and adjudications into the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and permit the Department of Consumer Affairs to adjudicate all violations issued by that department;
  • City Reporting Requirements and Advisory Bodies: Create a commission to review requirements for reports and advisory bodies and waive the requirements, subject to City Council review, where the commission finds they are not of continuing value; and
  • Map for Facility Siting: Include in the City's facilities siting map those transportation and waste management facilities operated by or for governmental entities, or by private entities that provide comparable services.

Shall this proposal be adopted?

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