CM Banks on advice and consent process and concerns about Mangin's role in City of Yes agenda
Council Member Chris Banks explains his abstention on Mangin, discussing the importance of the advice and consent power, Mangin's role in advancing City of Yes and ballot proposals that altered the Council's land use role, and arguing the Council was already pro-housing before those changes.
Banks.
Permission to explain my vote?
Yes.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
You know, advice and consent matters, and I take that very serious.
And that power was given to us by the charter of the New York City.
And it matters when we execute it and how we execute it.
So as we consider the nomination of John Madgen, I believe we must look beyond his professional qualifications and consider the decisions and priorities and governing philosophy that have shaped his work in city government.
My concern is not based on one policy disagreement.
It is rooted in an approach to land use that appears to prioritize efficiency and centralized decision making over public participation, local accountability,
and the institutional role of the city council.
Mr.
Madgen played a significant role in advancing the City of Yes agenda and developing housing-related ballot proposals that altered the Council's role in certain land use decisions,
while expanding the authority of appointed bodies.
But although vote.
pass those ballot questions during the prior council session, their efforts, their effects will influence the institution for years to come.
These changes were not necessary to make the council pro-housing.
Before the ballot initiatives, the council approved approximately 94% of ULIP applications.
We've also continued exploring creative housing opportunities.
Speaker Menendez's New Libraries, New Homes Initiative, for example, would modernize public libraries while creating hundreds of 100% affordable housings above library sites.
You know, our housing agenda also create meaningful pathways to home ownership.
Building more housing is essential.
But so is giving New Yorkers at every income level, especially black and brown New Yorkers who have historically faced barriers to ownership, the opportunity to build generational wealth
and own a piece of the city they call home.
The council has been pro-housing and remains committed to building.