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Albany Considers Giving Mamdani Power to Dissolve Adams's 'Zombie' Charter Revision Commission — Provision in State Budget Bill Could Pass as Early as Thursday May 21, June 1 Deadline for Mayoral Action

May 21, 2026NY1 (Bernadette Hogan, first report) | NY State of Politics | City & State NY | Crain's | New York Voice News Official
Read the full story at NY1 (Bernadette Hogan, first report) | NY State of Politics | City & State NY | Crain's | New York Voice News
Summary

NY1's Bernadette Hogan first reported Wed May 20 that the State Legislature is considering a budget-bill provision that would give Mayor Mamdani authority — through June 1, 2026 — to nullify the Charter Revision Commission former Mayor Eric Adams established on his final day in office. NY State of Politics confirmed via sources the same day, framing Adams's panel as a "zombie" commission set up as a parting jab. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie confirmed Mamdani requested the bill's inclusion: "Imposing new things on the new mayor, we just didn't think that was fair." A broader provision is being considered that would give future mayors a similar window for late-term predecessor commissions. The bill could pass as soon as Thursday May 21. Adams's commission held its first meeting Apr 20 at Randy Mastro's office, announced four public hearings beginning May 27, and is reviewing open primaries, housing/land-use reforms, antisemitism and hate-crimes responses. Commission member Kayla Mamelak Altus (X, May 20): "any attempt to retroactively dismantle a legally constituted Charter Revision Commission in the middle of its work would be blatantly illegal" — flags potential litigation. The Mamdani administration says it is "reviewing all options" (Dora Pekec). Mamdani has previously promised a counter-commission of his own (existing promise, in-progress).

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