Abortion rights protected in New York constitution, Adams’ ballot proposals pass
Credit: Nick Fewings on Unsplash
A proposition to enshrine abortion rights in New York passed on Tuesday, according to election results published by the Associated Press. New Yorkers also voted to approve four of the five proposals that change the City Charter pushed for by Mayor Eric Adams, who called the polls an “overwhelming success” for his administration.
Proposition 1, known as the “Equal Rights Amendment,” expands a section of the state constitution that states a person cannot be denied civil rights because of their race, creed, or religion.
The amendment will also ban discrimination based on national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, or “reproductive healthcare and autonomy,” according to AP.
With Roe v. Wade overturned and abortion outlawed in 21 states, this decision is a critical step toward protecting women’s reproductive rights in New York at a time of heightened risk.
Sasha Ahuja, campaign director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights, celebrated the proposition’s passing.
“Our state constitution will now protect our reproductive freedoms, including abortion, and protect every New Yorker from government discrimination, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, pregnancy status, disability status, or whether someone is LGBT.”
In a victory for Adams, who was indicted in September, four of the five proposals from the mayor passed. Proposition two gives the mayor the power to order the Department of Sanitation to clean all city-owned properties, as well as the ability to require that all trash be put in containers, has passed.
Critics argue the bill will intensify the city’s aggressive crackdown on street vendors, with immigrant advocates warning it could expand DSNY’s authority to fine unlicensed vendors.
The third proposal requiring the City Council to publish the financial impact of any bill before it is debated has passed, along with the fourth, which mandates the Council provide more notice and time before voting on public safety legislation.
Proposition six, which proposes changes to the film-permitting process, the creation of a position to support minority- and women-owned businesses, and the merging of city archives, has been defeated, according to preliminary results.
The ballot proposals have been viewed as a contest for power between Adams and the City Council, with Council Speaker Adrienne Adams describing the mayor’s moves as a “power grab.” The speaker was one of 40 city, state, and federal representatives who publicly opposed the ballot measures, according to Gothamist.
The proposals were introduced in response to Speaker Adams’ plan to give the City Council greater control over the mayor’s appointments. Since the plan would require changes to the city charter, it needed to be put to a vote through a ballot measure.
However, under the rules, the mayor blocked the speaker’s plan by creating a charter review commission that could advance its own ballot measures. The Council is currently working to form its own charter review commission.
“Working-class New Yorkers spoke, and the Charter Revision Commission listened,” the mayor said in a statement. “This is a great day for everyone who desires a safer city, cleaner streets, greater fiscal responsibility, transparency in the city’s capital planning process, and, of course, access to abortion care.
“I’m grateful to the commissioners and staff who heard the voices of their fellow New Yorkers, and whose outstanding efforts will now likely be enshrined into our city’s charter through Propositions 2-5. Tonight’s overwhelming success at the polls is just the latest example of how our administration is working every single day to make this a safer, more affordable city for all New Yorkers.”
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