Lurie's Charter Reform working group is not remotely a 'broad group of experts' - 48 hills

"Mayor Daniel Lurie and Sup. Rafael Mandelman want to update and reform the City Charter, which is a fine idea: Under the current charter, the mayor has too much power and elected officials are able to refuse or duck sunshine requests with impunity. The city desperately needs to address economic inequality. Among other problems. Yes, it's big-in part because progressives have pushed for changes over and over since the last full revamp in 1995, and many have been efforts to increase community participation."

"There are, of course, problems with contracting and bureaucratic procedures, some designed to prevent the kind of corruption and fraud that we've seen under the last administration. But Lurie and Mandelman apparently have a very different idea of what the Charter should include-and their goal seems to be more centralized power and less community participation. A "working group" launched those efforts Dec. 8,"

Mayor Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman propose updating the City Charter to improve operations and align policy with residents' priorities. Under the current charter, the mayor holds excessive power and elected officials can evade sunshine requests, while economic inequality remains urgent. Progressive advocates have repeatedly sought greater community participation and limits on executive authority since the 1995 charter revamp. The proposed effort appears to prioritize centralized executive power and reduced community influence. A working group launched Dec. 8 describes itself as a broad collection of experts and community leaders, but its membership list shows heavy business, billionaire, and conservative representation with minimal progressive community presence.

Read at 48 hills