The New York City Council on Oct. 9 adopted amendments to its rules and committee memberships, passing Resolution 10‑58A and related committee changes after floor debate and recorded votes. Sponsors said the rules amendments improve clarity and consistent practice; critics argued the changes centralize power at the leadership level and limit individual members’ authority.
Council Member Morano (spoke at length in opposition) said the package “makes this council, in my view, less democratic and not more democratic,” arguing rules should be built on broad consensus rather than by members who may be departing the body. He warned the measures would reduce members’ ability to introduce and advance legislation and urged the next council to write its own rules.
Several members used their explanations of vote to record opposition to the package while supporting much of the rest of the general orders calendar. The clerk reported the resolution was adopted by a vote of 41 in the affirmative and 8 opposed; Reso 10‑58A was taken with other amendments and coupled on the general orders calendar before the roll‑call vote.
Supporters said the amendments increase clarity and consistency with council practices and precedent and noted the rules package had been considered by the committee on rules, privileges, and elections. Opponents urged broader engagement and warned that consolidating procedural authority could limit transparency and members’ ability to represent district interests.
The council also approved related preconsidered committee membership changes (Reso 10‑99) as part of the business taken up on the general orders calendar. Having adopted the rules change, the council will proceed under the revised procedures until further amendment; several members said the incoming council should have the opportunity to revisit rule changes in the next term.