Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today applauded the passage of all five ballot proposals put forward by the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE), the 2026 New York City Charter Revision Commission appointed to make city government work better, faster and more efficiently for New Yorkers.
"Tonight, New Yorkers voted for a government that moves as fast as they do," said Mayor Mamdani. "From opening outdoor dining faster to speeding up street safety projects to accelerating housing production, we are cutting red tape that will directly address the affordability crisis and help New Yorkers stay in the city they love. Now comes the work of turning these votes into results."
"In hearing after hearing, briefing after briefing, conversation after conversation, we heard that New Yorkers-from those who depend on City services to the City workers who deliver them-want government to work faster," said Ann Cheng, Executive Director of the Commission on Government Efficiency. "I am grateful for all that the hardworking members of the COGE team did to develop these proposals and educate voters about them, and I look forward to seeing how these changes will improve the lives of working New Yorkers."
"New Yorkers informed these ballot proposals from the very beginning. Now, New Yorkers have made clear that they should be law," said Patrick Gaspard, Chair of the Commission on Government Efficiency. "These reforms will help build more affordable housing, speed up the outdoor dining application process, streamline contracting and street safety projects and put our City on firmer financial footing. We are grateful to all the New Yorkers who made their voices heard on these critical proposals throughout every step of the process."
COGE developed the five proposals through 10 public hearings attended by more than 1,200 New Yorkers and received hundreds of pieces of public testimony. After the proposals were finalized, COGE conducted hundreds of briefings to inform New Yorkers about the ballot questions, reaching more than 9,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs. Its public education efforts also included an online resource hub, canvassing, PSAs and digital ads, more than 87,000 palm cards distributed through community organizations, digital voter engagement and voter registration efforts in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
The Five Ballot Proposals
In July, following 10 public hearings, COGE voted to advance ballot proposals to New York City voters.
Question 1 saves small businesses time and money by making it easier to open outdoor dining and build accessible ramps.
- Cuts the outdoor dining application process by 75%, from eight months to two months
- Saves small businesses up to $1,800 in application costs and thousands of dollars in staff time
- Speeds up the approval process for accessible entrance ramps and lifts by two months
Question 2 speeds up City contracting so small businesses and nonprofits can deliver services more quickly.
- Reduces administrative burdens on small businesses and nonprofits that contract with the City
- Saves City contractors like small businesses and nonprofits up to 30 days in the contracting process
Question 3 fast-tracks street safety projects and generates revenue from surplus City property.
- Speeds up street safety projects, including bike lanes, by at least 33%
- Unlocks more than $200 million in potential City revenue through the sale of small surplus lots and unused air rights over City-owned landmarks
Question 4 simplifies construction permitting to speed up housing.
- Brings 40 approvals from 18 separate offices and agencies into one place, saving builders time and frustration.
Question 5 sets a rainy-day savings target to strengthen the City's long-term fiscal stability.
- Establishes a savings target of 12% of total tax revenue to help strengthen the City's financial position over the long term
