NYC ballot proposals: What voters will decide on

Mayor Mamdani says that these proposals will make the city government more efficient and speed up approvals for permit processes, say for small businesses. But critics say some of these proposals give the mayor and city leaders more power and the public less voice when it comes to green lighting new projects. Proposal number one would speed up the process for granting revocable consent to use public space. So what does that mean? Well, according to the mayor, it's streamlining the process for getting permission from the city to use public space to build ramps benches and outdoor dining structures right now it could take up to eight months and this would reduce the process to under two months but would also eliminate a mandatory public hearing requirement and some critics object to that that reducing this kind of public input especially when it comes to outdoor dining structures now proposal two that would reduce city contractor paperwork and require regular meetings of the procurement policy board what does this mean? Well, it gives the mayor the power to award contracts to small businesses and nonprofits looking to do work for the city. Critics argue it also gives the mayor too much authority and not enough oversight. And proposal three would speed up street safety projects, disposition of unused city property at office leasing. Supporters say it would fast track transportation projects and the sale of city-owned land. It would also allow the city to lease city-owned buildings to use for government workers and office space. Critics object to it, saying it leads to a lack of transparency by allowing the Department of Transportation to start working on projects before presenting the plan to community boards. And Proposal 4 would simplify building permitting to move waterfront permitting to the Department of Buildings. It means that more city officials would be able to approve construction projects, so New Yorkers only have to go through one city entity for approval instead of waiting for approval from multiple agencies. The Department of Buildings would also take over permitting waterfront structures. Right now, that job is being handled by the Department of Small Business Services. Proposal 5 would set contribution targets for the Rainy Day Fund to promote sufficient budgetary reserves. All that to say it would allow the city to save more money for an emergency or rainy day fund that would help the city survive a recession or an economic downturn. Critics have objected to this one because it also gives the mayor power to withdraw more than 50 percent of that fund if he decides there's a compelling fiscal reason without getting city council approval. Well you can find out much more detailed information about these five ballot questions online at the New York State Board of Elections website there. Election day of course is November 3rd and early voting guys believe it or not starts later this week.