THE EVOLVING CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Association of the Bar of the City of New York
42 West 44^th Street (between 5^th & 6^th Avenues)
New York, New York

The Committee on New York City Affairs of the City Bar Association invites you to a panel discussion at the Association House from 6-8:00 p.m. on April 28, 2015 addressing the governance of the City Council. The format will be lively and interactive and will provide a forum for the following issues:

1. What impact do the recent amendments to the Council’s Rules (the "Rules”) have upon the Speaker’s powers, independence of Council Members and Committee Chairs, and the effectiveness of the Council in performing its obligations under the Charter?
2. Is a strong Speaker necessary for the Council to act as a check and balance to the Mayor?
3. What further amendments to the Rules are necessary, or should any of the recent amendments be reconsidered?
4. What additional powers, if any, does the Council need to perform its duties effectively and to act as a check and balance to the Mayor?

Panelists:

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Lobbyist Chris Collins
Citizens Union Executive Director Dick Dadey
Public Advocate Letitia James
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz
Common Cause Executive Director Susan Lerner
City Council Rules Committee Chair Brad Lander
Dean Eric Lane (Counsel/Executive Director Charter Revision Commission 1987-1989)
City Council Member Mark Levine
City Council Member Helen Rosenthal
Former Speaker Peter Vallone

Moderators:

Audrey Isaacs and Robert Brill

RSVP via www.nycbar.org; click on "Events”; go to April, 2015 calendar; click on 4/28/15 Evolving City Council event; click at bottom right of flier to register