Rushed New York City Council Rules Undermine Public Accountability

NEW YORK, NY (09/25/2025) (readMedia)-- New York City, NY – Yesterday, Common Cause New York condemned the New York City Council for rushing to adopt new legislative rules without allowing the public sufficient time to review the changes.

Last Thursday afternoon, the Council staff released a 140-page report with the proposed rules. Four days later, the rules were scheduled for a hearing, with no opportunities for constituents to observe remotely or give Zoom testimony.

Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York, wrote in the comment submitted to the New York City Council:

"New Yorkers deserve adequate time to assess and comment on changes to the council's governing rules. Advancing this process at the end of a council session, before a new Speaker will be chosen in the 2026 session, is simply over-reaching and risks undermining accountability and transparency. Such behavior is unacceptable and inappropriate."

View Common Cause New York's full comment here.