Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Commission on Government Efficiency proposes ballot measures to accelerate New York City street safety projects and streamline outdoor dining.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) has proposed a series of ballot initiatives to streamline New York City's infrastructure development. The primary goal is to accelerate street safety projects by at least 33 percent by reducing bureaucratic red tape. The commission aims to revise the City Charter to allow the Department of Transportation to launch street redesigns, such as bike and bus lanes, without waiting for extensive interagency reviews. These changes would prevent opponents from using minor paperwork omissions as grounds for litigation. Additionally, the proposals seek to cut the outdoor dining application process in half and reduce costs for local businesses. Advocates argue that these reforms will prioritize human life over complex bureaucratic processes, allowing the city to respond more quickly to traffic fatalities. While some lawmakers have criticized the commission for reducing the City Council's oversight, the administration's plan focuses on making the city more efficient and livable for residents.

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