15 Commissioners for Charter Revision Commission 2019 Appointed; date for Commission’s First Meeting Set

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/9/2018
CONTACT: JoAnne Wasserman, JWasserman@charter2019.nyc

The Charter Commission 2019 will draft a new or revised City Charter that incorporates ideas put forth by the public

July 9, 2018 – Charter Commission 2019, charged with examining and updating the city’s constitution, was announced today with the appointment of the 15 commissioners who will conduct a full review of the City Charter, the document that sets the framework for New York City’s government.

Proposed amendments and other changes to the City Charter will be voted on in November 2019.

The commissioners, four appointed by the Mayor, four appointed by the Council, one appointed by the Public Advocate; one by the Comptroller, and one appointed by each Borough President, represent a broad range of New Yorkers from varied backgrounds and geographic locations. The commissioners are:

  • Gail Benjamin, Chair, appointed by the New York City Council;

  • Sal Albanese, appointed by the Brooklyn Borough President;

  • Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, appointed by the New York City Council;

  • Lisette Camilo, appointed by the Mayor;

  • James Caras, appointed by the Manhattan Borough President;

  • Eduardo Cordero Sr., appointed by the Queens Borough President;

  • Stephen Fiala, appointed by the Staten Island Borough President;

  • Paula Gavin, appointed by the Mayor;

  • Lindsay Greene, appointed by the Mayor;

  • Alison Hirsh, appointed by the City Comptroller;

  • Rev. Clinton Miller, appointed by the New York City Council;

  • Sateesh Nori, appointed by the Public Advocate;

  • Merryl Tisch, appointed by the New York City Council;

  • James Vacca, appointed by the Bronx Borough President; and

  • Carl Weisbrod, appointed by the Mayor.

The Charter Commission 2019 was created through legislation sponsored by Public Advocate Letitia James, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. The commission will hold its first organizational meeting on July 16th, 2018, from 5:00-7:00pm, in Council Chambers Chambers, located at City Hall.

The Commission’s broad mandate is to review the entire Charter and draft amendments to bring the City into the 21st Century. The Commission will launch, #Charter2019NYC, a robust public outreach and civic engagement campaign to gather ideas and solicit public feedback this fall. The Commission will also accept ideas and suggestions from the public electronically.

“After three decades, it’s time for a thorough, expert review of how our City Charter is serving New Yorkers and how to make our government work better,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I thank my colleagues for buying into this process and appointing experts to guide it. It’s easy to stick with what you know, and takes open=mindedness and courage to open the doors to reform.”

“Today marks the beginning of a true top-to-bottom review of our City’s governing document, with an eye towards real reform. This Commission will bring its recommendations to New Yorkers who will have a rare opportunity to fundamentally change the future of our City. I thank Speaker Johnson and Manhattan Borough President Brewer for their partnership on creating this Commission and look forward to making New York even better,” said Public Advocate Letitia James.

“The appointment of these members of the Charter Revision Commission is the first step towards bringing the City Charter into the 21st century. All of these individuals represent civic engagement at its best, and I am so grateful for the time they are giving to make our city a better place. I congratulate each newly appointed member of this Commission and look forward to hearing their recommendations. The City Charter is in good hands,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

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CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION 2019, 250 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10007