New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the creation of the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) to streamline city operations, cut red tape, and deliver faster, smarter services for working residents.

COGE aims to modernize government procedures, review agency practices, and propose ballot measures this fall to advance reforms.

The commission is chaired by Patrick Gaspard, a longtime public servant and former Obama aide, with a diverse slate including business leaders, housing experts, and accountability advocates.

Meanwhile, Adams’s Charter Revision Commission is moving forward with public hearings, prompting questions about legality and how multiple commissions might interact.

Albany lawmakers granted Mamdani temporary authority to accept or reject Adams’s commission, after which Mamdani dismissed Adams’s charter panel and formed his own replacement.

The 16-member panel includes Mamdani allies from business, housing, and government accountability, such as former Councilwoman Carlina Rivera and Kathy Wylde, with Gaspard as chair.

Citizens Union and other watchdog groups warn the timeline is tight and politics could influence ballot questions for November.

COGE intends to remove outdated bureaucratic barriers, accelerate infrastructure and service delivery, and strengthen agency flexibility and budgeting practices.

The new commission is positioned to supersede or replace the Adams-era Charter Revision Commission that sought open primaries and other reforms.

Observers note that the move fits into broader national debates about governance, contrasting Mamdani’s approach with national figures who advocate broader cost-cutting or reform rhetoric.

Some worry a third concurrent charter panel could complicate timelines and reduce deliberation time, given existing commissions convened by different city leaders.

Legally, the plan could prompt challenges from the Adams commission and raise questions about how any new panel would affect current reform efforts.