New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani announced the formation of the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) on Thursday, positioning the charter review as a deliberate counterpoint to the federal DOGE efforts that collapsed last November under Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
The 15-member commission will hold 10 public hearings across the five boroughs and propose charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot, with input from union leaders, community organizers and city workers.
How does Mamdani’s COGE differ from the federal DOGE?
The committee will be chaired by Patrick Gaspard, former US ambassador to South Africa, and includes labor figures, including Henry Garrido, a member of the 37th local council.
Mamdani replaced the previous Charter Commission inherited from Eric Adams and introduced COGE.
COGE is structurally different from the federal effort from which it borrows its name. where Trump DOGE Initiative As it seeks to reduce workforces and eliminate contracts across federal agencies, the New York commission is proposing voter-approved charter changes covering housing approvals, procurement, and service delivery without cutting services.
Mamdani told reporters that the federal version used the language of efficiency as a cover for cutting services.
He had previously rejected the slash-and-burn model that led to it Early liquidation of DOGE In late 2025.
Committee Hearings It will draw input from unions and organizers in all five boroughs.
“COGE will hold listening sessions in every district and meet with union members, community organizers and workers who will shape how to build a more responsive and accountable government. The future of this city will be built by all of us together,” male.
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Bezos backs COGE with split reactions
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos supported the idea, saying the savings could ensure lower taxes for low-income people. The endorsement reflects his recent statements Zero tax proposal for workerswas featured in an interview with CNBC earlier this month.
“This is great and they deserve it. With some savings, we can eliminate taxes on the bottom half of income earners. The best way to put money in people’s pockets is to not take it out in the first place,” the Amazon executive said. Notice.
While supporters welcome a reform process based on public hearings, critics question whether heavy union input will lead to real savings, given Mamdani’s progressive policy agenda.
The first public meeting is scheduled for June 4, with town hearings to begin June 9, six months later He won the position of mayor of the city.
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