STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION – CON
The full text of all submitted statements appear below.

A. Gifford Miller (Speaker, City Council)

The Mayor’s Charter Revision Commission has proposed three ballot questions. I believe that each proposal is ill advised and I urge you to vote no on all three.

The proposal to eliminate party primaries alters dramatically the manner in which you elect your local representatives. Political parties, be they Democrat, Republican, Working Families, Independent, or other, serve a vital function in our democratic process. Without party labels, you will not be able to identify what a candidate’s beliefs are, which is extremely dangerous. There will be confusion, manipulation and undue influence by wealthy candidates and candidates with hidden and extremist views.

The elimination of party primaries may also violate the federal voting rights act. Party primary elections are one place that minority combined votes can have an impact, and help overcome electoral obstacles and barriers. Thus, the proposal may directly dilute the voting strengths of people of color.

With regard to so-called procurement reforms and agency reorganization, a few may be arguably of merit, but others are confused, ill thought and ill prepared. For example the proposed changes to city’s campaign finance law could lead many candidates to opt out of the program, which is why Rev. Joseph O’Hare, former chair of the CFB and member of the Commission, opposed the changes. Eliminating the Preliminary Management Report would remove an important tool for monitoring agency spending. The Charter Commission was the wrong place for these recommendations since the entire menu of proposed changes could be accomplished by local law after public hearings and testimony. This is how laws are passed and enacted – thoughtfully and with due deliberation.

I urge no votes on all three proposals.