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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 31, 2026 | The Indian Eye 16

Small Business Owners, Community

Leaders, Housing and Transit Advocates

Praise COGE Ballot Proposals

New Yorkers applaud final ballot props to cut outdoor dining application timeline

by 75%, speed up bike lane creation by 33%, accelerate nonprofit contracts and

building permits, and strengthen rainy day funds

OUR BUREAU sidewalk structures,” said Peter Ma-
donia, Chairman, Belmont Business
NEW YORK, NY
Improvement District.
ayor Mamdani’s Commis- “BOC Network applauds the Com-
sion on Government Effi- mission on Government Efficiency for
Mciency (COGE), the 2026 advancing a vision of government that
New York Charter Review Commis- is more responsive, transparent, and
sion, has released five final ballot pro- accessible. Modernizing government
posals to make city government work is not simply about moving faster—it
better, faster and more efficiently for is about making public systems work
New Yorkers. The ballot proposals better for the people they serve. By
address outdated, unnecessary and partnering with trusted community
redundant requirements in the City organizations, New York City can re-
Charter to help modernize govern- duce barriers, strengthen accountabil-
ment to speed up permits and con- ity, and expand economic opportunity
tracts, save small businesses money, for local businesses, nonprofits, child-
accelerate housing and street safety care providers, and the communities
and strengthen fiscal responsibility. that depend on them,” said Nancy
Following the announcement, instead of optional.” get process,” said J. W. Mason, Associ- Carin, Executive Director, Business
small business owners, advocacy “Affordable housing projects are ate Professor and Chair, Department Outreach Center (BOC) Network.
groups, community leaders, housing often slowed by a fragmented permit- of Economics, John Jay College, City “Small and ‘Mom and Pop’ busi-
and transit experts and more applaud- ting process,” said Samantha Magistro, University of New York. nesses embody the ‘American Dream’
ed COGE’s efforts to make govern- CEO of Bronx Pro Group. “A more “Inefficiencies in bureaucracy are multitudes of New Yorkers embrace,
ment work more efficiently for New coordinated approach to permitting a major cause of governmental dys- yet cumbersome processes have halt-
Yorkers across the five boroughs. would provide a predictable path function, and the subsequent under- ed progress towards that Northstar.
COGE members will vote on from planning to construction, reduce mining of public trust in government. As an MWBE and Chair of Bronx
adoption of the final report and bal- unnecessary delays and costs, and These proposed charter amendments Community Board 8’s Economic De-
lot proposals this evening at 5 PM in allow developers to better focus on will improve the lives of nonprofits, velopment Committee, I appreciate
Manhattan. building the affordable homes New small businesses, and of New York- the Mayor’s responsiveness, and look
“Restaurants are integral to the Yorkers need. Simplifying permitting ers as a whole, and add to the push forward to supporting new businesses
neighborhoods and communities of could also lower barriers for smaller towards effective governance by the with these expanded opportunities,”
our great city. With the COGE bal- and emerging developers who don’t Mamdani administration,” said Fahd said Constance D. Barnes, Ed.D, PMP,
lot proposals on Outdoor Dining, we always have the resources to navigate Ahmed, Director of Desis Rising Up Chair of Bronx Community Board 8’s
feel seen and heard as owners and a complex permitting process.” & Moving (DRUM). Economic Development Committee.
operators,” said Juliet & Justine Mas- “Unlike the federal government, “Every step toward a more effi- “Congratulations to New York
ters, Co-owners of The Edge Harlem. the City cannot borrow to meet op- cient and responsive government is a City’s Commission on Government
“These proposed reforms will allow us erating shortfalls. So it is important step toward stronger small business- Efficiency – the Commission’s rec-
to reduce costs and reclaim valuable to make financial provision for future es,” said Cristy Moya, Director of ommendations to improve the City’s
time by streamlining paperwork, elimi- shortfalls. At the same time, hard rules the Bronx Women’s Business Center. procurement process are right on tar-
nating unnecessary fines, and simplify- requiring fixed levels of contributions “Reducing red tape allows entrepre- get,” said Chris Yukins, Lynn David

ing complex regulatory requirements.” to reserve funds and limiting with- neurs to focus on what they do best— Research Professor in Government
“Thrilled to see COGE propose drawals can be counterproductive by building businesses and creating eco- Procurement Law at George Wash-
real, first-ever contribution targets limiting the City’s ability to respond to nomic opportunity.” ington University Law School. “By
for the City’s rainy day fund. Not gov- unexpected economic and fiscal devel- “The involvement of local elected reducing burdens and payment delays
erned by hope, but rules,” said Aar- opments. The proposed target for City officials in such an important use of for contractors providing vital services
on Kinnari, Founder of the Future reserve funds strikes good balance be- valuable curb space is critical. Many to the City’s most vulnerable residents,
Forum. “Good years should mean tween ensuring that the City is making commercial areas that rely on park- COGE’s proposed reforms meet
building a real cushion for bad years. appropriate provision for future needs, ing to generate business such as in Mayor Mamdani’s promise to make
This proposal makes that automatic while preserving flexibility in the bud- Belmont might be better served with New York a better place to live for all.”

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