Politics
Voters Say ‘Yes’
to City’s Charter Review Ballot
BY BILL PARRY
Voters across the five boroughs
voted overwhelmingly in support of
three proposals to amend New York
City’s Charter in regards to campaign
finance, civic engagement and community
boards. The three initiatives
on the ballot Tuesday were devised
by the Charter Review Commission,
which was appointed by Mayor Bill
de Blasio to explore ways to improve
democracy.
One hotly debated issue was Proposal
3 which would impose term limits
on community board members limiting
them to a maximum of four consecutive
two-year terms. That measure
passed with the support of 72 percent
of the vote. Supporters of term limits
argued they would ensure turnover
and make the boards more diverse and
representative of their communities.
Detractors believed term limits would
cost community boards members with
“institutional knowledge” of land use
and development rules.
The provision will go into effect in
April 2019 and terms already served
will not count towards the new term limit.
Another proposal asked voters to
create a “Civic Engagement Commission”
that would increase participation
in the democratic process on several
12 NOVEMBER 2018 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
levels, including citywide participatory
budgeting, which would allow residents
to vote on ways to spend city funds.
That won approval with 65 percent
of the voters.
The most popular proposal turned
out to be the first ballot question that
would amend the city’s campaign
finance system by making changes
designed to address persistent perceptions
of corruption associated with large
campaign contributions. This measure
would cut the maximum amount of
campaign contributions allowed for
candidates running for city office.
That proposal was approved by 80
percent of voters.
“The Charter Revision process is designed
to improve democracy in New York
City and tonight, the voters have spoken,”
Charter Review Commission Chairman
Cesar A. Perales said. “Through meetings
over months that spanned all five
boroughs, the Charter Review Commission
was proud to meet New Yorkers in their
neighborhoods to hear their ideas on how
to make New York City a better place. I’d
like to thank our commissioners, members
of the public, elected officials, good government
groups and others who submitted
ideas and thoughts. The Charter Revision
process is one designed to engage New
Yorkers about the future of their city and
that is exactly what happened.”
Proposals
Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS
/www.qns.com
