|
Leroy Comrie (City Council Member)
I have long been a supporter of changes in city purchasing to enhance
opportunities for minority and women owned businesses and to stop delays in
contracting and payments. In fact, I have a bill that would compensate small
vendors for delays in payments. But this is the issue–these very important
changes belong before the City’s legislature–the City Council–not as a single
question on a ballot. In my opinion, the June 26th Staff Report of the
Commission did not discuss these changes in detail.
TOP
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.
TOP
|
