Yes on 1, Nix 2-6

Yes on 1, Nix 2-6 700 394 Remy Kothe

New York Friends,

If you are interested, I wanted to share my opinion on the New York State ballot initiative Proposal 1 (Equal Rights Amendment) and the additional NYC ballot measures 2-6.  Ballot initiatives can be tricky to understand by design. This summarizes the proposals (sources listed below). I also included suggestions if you want to read more opinions on ballot measures 2-6 in NYC.

VOTE YES on Prop 1: Protect reproductive rights, including abortion, in New York, ensuring future politicians can’t roll them back and strengthen protections against discrimination, closing loopholes in the state constitution to safeguard all New Yorkers, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, pregnancy status, disability, or LGBTQ identity.

Props 2-6:

Although ballot proposals 2-6 sound reasonable as written on your ballot, know that the Mayor commissioned a special committee this summer to amend the city charter so that several areas of control will be reassigned from the City Council to the Mayor’s office, thus disrupting the balance of power and placing more authority in the Mayor’s office.

VOTE NO—Ballot Proposal 2: Cleaning Public Property is worded to seem innocent but it’s misleading and doesn’t mention that it will give the Sanitation Department expanded enforcement powers to police and fine more New Yorkers. The proposal is a cruel and inhumane attack on our city’s street vendors and other New Yorkers who should be supported, not criminalized. It will increase policing and fines against New Yorkers – duplicating the role that the Police Department and others already play.

VOTE NO—Ballot Proposal 3: Appears to be a technical adjustment to budget processes, but it would significantly expand the mayor’s power, reducing checks and balances. While it claims to streamline government, it could delay critical services and allow mayors to block initiatives like housing and childcare that benefit New Yorkers.

VOTE NO—Ballot Proposal 4: Changes how laws affecting the NYPD, Fire Department, and Department of Correction are passed. It risks giving the NYPD undue influence in the legislative process, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in policing at a time when these issues are under scrutiny.

VOTE NO—Ballot Proposal 5: This proposal promises to improve city planning but is widely criticized for being ineffective. The city’s Comptroller has even called it a “transparently false” measure, stating that it does not meaningfully improve transparency or planning processes.

VOTE NO—Ballot Proposal 6: Claims to address Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) but mainly renames an office without offering new support. It also includes unrelated changes, such as combining archive boards and adjusting film permit processes, which suggests it was rushed and lacks clear focus.

Sources for above and suggested reading: No Power Grab NYC, Mother Jones, NYC Council, The City