Over 40 Elected Officials Slam Mayor Adams’ Ballot Proposals, Call On New Yorkers To Vote No On Props 2-6
New York, NY - Today, 43 city, state and federal elected officials called on New Yorkers to vote no on Props 2-6 this November, asserting that the proposed changes to New York City’s constitution will give the mayor more unchecked power, erode government checks-and-balances, and make it harder for city government to deliver forNew Yorkers. The officials are uniting with No Power Grab NYC – a campaign that includes over fifty civil rights and community organizations– to defend democracy and defeat Mayor Adams’ attempt to enact dangerous changes to New York City’s charter (NYC’s constitution). Today’s announcement, which includes Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and forty other city, state and federal officials, comes on the heels of the mayor’s indictment and almost-daily resignations by top city officials, raising significant questions about the city's management.
“Proposals 2-6 are the product of Mayor Adams’ rushed Charter Revision Commission and would change the city’s constitution to weaken checks and balances in city government,” said NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “By undermining democratic representation that is accountable to the people of this city and infusing mayoral control on the legislative branch, these changes risk making government less responsive to the needs of New Yorkers. It’s critical that we safeguard the interests of New Yorkers with checks and balances. I encourage voters to understand the real impact of these deceptively worded proposals and to vote ‘NO’ to preserve their voice in city government.”
Over the past 20 years, charter commissions have taken as long as a year to fully consider changing the city’s constitution and engaged as many New Yorkers and experts in the process as possible. Mayor Eric Adams convened a charter revision commission of his staunchest allies, including his top political supporters and donors, to oversee the hastiest revision process in the past two decades and to knock City Council legislation off the ballot. With only seven weeks between the first hearing and the commission’s vote to approve items for the ballot, the mayor’s charter process was widely criticized as a politically-motivated sham that excluded meaningful input from New Yorkers and key experts. The resulting proposals dangerously expand mayoral powers and erode New York’s system of checks and balances.
Of the elected officials joining efforts to educate and urge NYC voters to reject Props 2-6, No Power Grab NYC spokesperson Donavon Taveras said: “It’s a disgrace that the mayor’s sham charter commission rubber-stamped Props 2-6 to be on the November ballot – the proposals would make permanent changes to New York City’s constitution that give more unchecked power to the current and future mayors, weaken checks and balances and make it harder for NYC government to deliver for everyday New Yorkers. The Mayor fast-tracked Props 2-6 onto the ballot and he’s relying on the fact that most voters don’t know these proposals that are dangerous for democracy and bad for New Yorkers are even on the ballot. We look forward to partnering with elected officials who are standing up for local democracy to spread the word far and wide that NYC voters should reject and vote No on Props 2-6.”
“At all levels of government, a series of checks and balances is important to balance the power between the executive branch and the legislative branch, said Rep. Jerry Nadler. “Unfortunately, propositions 2-6, is purely a power grab by the Mayor’s office to tilt that balance in his favor. It is why I have joined a broad coalition of elected officials and advocates calling for New York City voters to defeat these undemocratic propositions. Revising New York City’s charter is not something that should be done in the middle of the summer over the course of seven weeks, it’s our city’s constitution and any changes require careful consideration, not put together hastily in an attempt to undermine the important role of the City Council.”
"Rather than giving New Yorkers confidence that City Hall will faithfully execute the law, the mayor rushed to rewrite the rules. Charter commissions are meant to be transparent, provide accountability, educate voters and continue the mission of good government. Revisions are supposed to be carefully considered, serious, and designed for the long term. The proposals advanced by the administration are barely designed to last a news cycle—pushed through a rushed, opaque process. In November, I urge New Yorkers to #Nix2Through6,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Full list of 43 elected officials endorsing the Vote No on Props 2-6 effort (list in formation; titles indicated for identification purposes only): Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, NYC City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso; NYS Senators: Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, NYS Assemblymembers: Bobby Carroll, Harvey Epstein, Emily Gallagher, Jessica González-Rojas, Zohran Mamdani, Linda Rosenthal, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Assemblymember-Elect Claire Valdez; NYC Councilmembers: Shaun Abreu, Alexa Avilés, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Chris Banks, Erik Bottcher, Gale Brewer, Tiffany Caban, Carmen de la Rosa, Majority Leader Amanda Farías, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Shekar Krishnan, Christopher Marte, Sandy Nurse, Chi Ossé, Lincoln Restler, Kevin Riley, Yusef Salaam, Pierina Sanchez, Nantasha Williams, and Julie Won.
Additional Quotes
“New Yorkers should vote no on ballot proposals 2 through 6, products of Mayor Adams’ hastily slapped together Charter Revision Commission that was nothing more than a political ploy. In the midst of a constant drip of resignations, subpoenas, and raids among Mayor Adams’ inner circle, these proposals actually diminish Administration accountability, when we need it more than ever,” said Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller.
“The opportunity to change our city’s governing document is rare, important, and deserving of the utmost honesty and transparency – yet this Administration has instead advanced a rushed, undemocratic charter revision process that is an insult to New Yorkers. The result of this process – ballot proposals 2-6 – are little more than a shameful power grab. These measures slow the wheels of government, weaken our city’s system of checks and balances, and make a mockery of public engagement. I’m especially alarmed by Prop 4, which is designed to make it more difficult to hold police and correction officers accountable and will result in less safe communities. Our neighbors deserve an honest approach to public safety and good governance, not these political games and manipulation that will only bring our city harm,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
"We must use our voices as voters to reject the mayor's attempt to make harmful changes to the city charter. The last thing we need right now is to empower a mayoral administration embroiled in corruption and dysfunction. By voting No on Propositions 2 through 6 on our ballots this November, while voting Yes on Prop 1, we can protect the democratic process and preserve the balance of power in our city,” said Julia Salazar, New York State Senator, District 18.
“The charter revision commission undertook a rushed process without allowing for adequate public input, undermining the democratic process. I am pledging to vote no on props 2 through 6 to stop this power grab and I encourage you to join me,” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein.
"I urge voters to oppose referendums 2-6 on the November ballot. Why? The wording makes it sound like voters should be supportive, but there are three reasons to vote no. First, the referendum was put together in two months, which is far too hasty for revising our city constitution. Second, the referendum undermines the City Council’s budget and legislative authority, which is a dangerous amendment to the balance of power. Third, many of the changes can be done legislatively and should be proposed as such. No on 2-6! Said Council Member Gale. A Brewer (District 6).
“It's unacceptable that most New Yorkers don't know about Mayor Adams' dangerous proposals that will be on the November ballot - and that he's counting on that ignorance to push them through. My constituents and all New Yorkers deserve a well-functioning government and Props 2-6 bring us in the wrong direction by weakening checks and balances and making it harder for NYC government to deliver for New Yorkers - that's why I'm urging voters to reject these dangerous proposals and vote No on Props 2-6,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez (District 14).
“Mayor Adams’ proposed changes to the city’s constitution through Props 2-6 are nothing short of a dangerous power grab that threatens the very foundations of democracy in New York City. These measures were born from an undemocratic and rushed process, designed to hand more unchecked authority to the mayor. Our city’s governance relies on checks and balances to ensure that every New Yorker’s voice is heard, not just the mayor’s. That’s why I’m urging all New Yorkers to stand up for our democracy and vote ‘No’ on Props 2-6 this November,” said Council Member Christopher Marte (District 1).
"Though Propositions 2-6 may seem relatively innocuous on their face to some, they are either wholly unnecessary or would slow down already deliberate, burdensome processes - all because the Adams administration retaliated against the City Council's effort to expand accountability and transparency. Our city’s charter is the foundation of our government and our democracy, and voting in favor of these proposals - which have failed to secure robust input from the public - undermines any semblance of good governance. I urge New Yorkers to vote YES on Proposition 1 and NO on Propositions 2-6 and support the #Nix2Through6 campaign," said Council Member Crystal Hudson (District 35).
"Democracy is on the ballot this November and voters must not be fooled by any attempts to diminish our system of checks-and-balances. Proposals 2-6 to change our city's constitution were conceived during a purposefully rushed charter revision process. These proposals would achieve nothing but disempower the City Council and everyday New Yorkers by handing more control to the Mayor. I am proud to join No Power Grab NYC in saying: it is critically important that New Yorkers vote yes on proposal 1 and defeat the Mayor's power grab by voting no on proposals 2 through 6,” said Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF - Manhattan).
"I stand with the No Power Grab Coalition and my fellow elected officials in urging New Yorkers to reject Ballot Proposals 2 -6. The Mayor's Charter Revision Commissioner proposals are the result of a rushed process, contain anti-democratic provisions, and are an unnecessary intrusion into the policy making process,” said Assembly Member Robert Carrol.
"With Mayor Adams engulfed in a corruption scandal, New Yorkers should reject his undemocratic power grab and vote no on Props 2-6 at the polls next month. Revising the charter—our city's constitution—deserves a transparent, well-informed and participatory process. Instead, the Mayor appointed his closest allies and rushed onto the ballot a series of confusing measures that will weaken checks-and-balances and amass power at City Hall. Voters will see through this farce,” said Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani.
“Expanding our democracy is how we win the New York City working families deserve. The rushed and obscured process that landed these proposals on our ballots did the exact opposite—it handed even more control over to the executive and denied everyday New Yorkers a seat at the table. On November 5th, we have the chance to take back our power by voting NO on Props 2-6,” said Assembly Member-Elect Claire Valdez.
“New Yorkers know better than to give any more power to Eric Adams. I hope voters reject this sham Charter Revision Commission and Mayor Adams’ power grab,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33).
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Background:
No Power Grab NYC is a campaign of more than 50 local and national civil rights and community groups from every background and borough – joining with city, state and federal elected officials from across the city to defend democracy at the ballot this November. The coalition is calling on New Yorkers to vote “No” on Proposals 2-6 - the dangerous, undemocratic proposals that came out of Mayor Adams’ sham charter revision process.
In May, just two months before the deadline to place charter changes on the ballot, Mayor Eric Adams hastily convened a charter revision commission to kick City Council legislation off the ballot. Every person appointed to the committee was one of the mayor’s staunchest allies, including his top political supporters, donors and lobbyists with pending business before the city. The language of the proposals were misleadingly crafted to seem harmless, but Props 2-6 make major changes to New York City’s constitution that will give the mayor more unchecked power, weaken checks-and-balances, and make it harder for the city to deliver for New Yorkers.
For more information about the No Power Grab NYC campaign and why New Yorkers should Vote No on Props 2-6, visit https://www.nopowergrabnyc.org/.
