Gotham Gazette

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Gail Benjamin

Gail Benjamin

  • What's The [DATA] Point? 5, The 2019 Charter Revision Questions on Your Ballot

    whats the data point


    What's The [Data] Point? Episode 82 -- 5, The 2019 Charter Revision Questions on Your Ballot, with Gail Benjamin and Carl Weisbroad of the 2019 New York City Charter Revision Commission [You can download What's The [Data] Point? wherever you get your podcasts, including on iTunes]

    wtdp 82There are 19 proposals to change city government and elections in five "yes" or "no" questions on this year's

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  • There are NYPD Oversight Measures on the Ballot - How Significant are They?

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    (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    New York City may soon take several steps toward strengthening the power of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, or CCRB, the agency responsible for investigating misconduct allegations against police officers.

    Voters have the opportunity to approve or reject a package of CCRB-related measures on this fall’s ballot, just months after the Board played a consequential role in the high-profile trial of Officer Daniel Pantaleo, resulting in his firing by NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill.

    The 2019 New York

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  • 2019 Charter Revision Commission Seeks to 'Tweak,' Not Upend City Balance of Power

    abny better

    Carl Weisbrod, left, and Gail Benjamin


    A series of proposals on the ballot before New Yorkers this fall is meant to revisit city political power dynamics established after the 1989 Charter Revision Commission, which 30 years ago reshaped New York City government into its current form. That is what Gail Benjamin and Carl Weisbrod, two leaders of the 2019 Charter Revision Commission, said during a Wednesday morning discussion hosted by the Association for a Better New York and Citizens Union at the New School.

    From the early voting period of October 26

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  • Max & Murphy Podcast: The 2019 City Charter Commission Narrows Its Focus

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    (photo: mayor's office)


    April 24, 2019 - Max & Murphy Podcast: The 2019 City Charter Commission Narrows Its Focus

    The 2019 New York City Charter Revision Commission released its "preliminary staff report" on Tuesday, indicating which areas of city governance and elections the commission will further consider as it prepares to propose changes to voters in November. Gail Benjamin, chair of the 2019 commission, joined the show to discuss the staff report, the commission's work thus far, some of the

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  • City Council Charter Revision Commission Takes Shape

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    (Sofie Hecht/Gotham Gazette)


    The New York City Council’s commission to review the city charter -- a separate effort from an existing commission created by Mayor Bill de Blasio -- has been fully appointed and is set to begin its work next Monday, July 16.

    The City Council passed a bill in April, spearheaded by Public Advocate Letitia James, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Council Speaker Corey Johnson, to create a commission to analyze the city’s governing document and recommend potentially significant

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