New Yorkers Get to Decide On A Rainy Day Fund

With just nine days until the start of early voting, New Yorkers will be asked to accept or reject five ballot questions that could change the City Charter, essentially the New York City constitution. The first question would make changes to local elections and the second would revamp the Civilian Complaint Review Board, the agency responsible for overseeing the New York City Police Department. 

The third question is under the umbrella of “Ethic and Governance” and it includes several items. One proposal — a relatively uncomplicated lobbying reform — would increase the amount of time a former elected or senior administration official must wait until going before an agency in which she or he served. The current law requires a one-year gap; This proposal would increase it to two years. 

Changes to the city budget are proposed in question four. One proposal endorsed by the fiscal watchdog group, Citizens' Budget Commission, would begin the process of setting up a rainy day fund where the city could set aside money during good economic times to pay for needed services and expenses during down times.  It also would require changes to state legislation. This is all because New York is required to balance its budget each year, an outgrowth of the fiscal crisis in the 1970's. 

The fifth and final question makes changes related to the city's land-use rules, essentially giving more time to Community Boards and Borough Presidents to review development proposals. Read the complete language of each ballot question here. 

WNYC's Brigid Bergin spoke with Richard Hake about the upcoming election and ballot questions.