"Ideas for Cutting Bureaucratic Hurdles and Getting Things Done in NYC"
A Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

Tuesday, September 22nd
8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. 
The Mezzanine
55 Broadway

To attend in-person, RSVP via this link.
To watch the livestream, RSVP via this link. 

Confirmed speakers include:

• Patrick Gaspard; Chair, Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE); Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa
• Annemarie Gray, Executive Director, Open New York
• Dawn Pinnock; President & CEO, Center for Urban Community Services; Member, Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE)
• Laura Kavanagh; Distinguished Visiting Urbanist, NYU Wagner; Former FDNY Commissioner
• Patrick Hall, Co-Owner & CEO, Élan Flowers
• Winston Fisher; Partner, Fisher Brothers; CEO, AREA15

Mayor Mamdani’s Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) has put forward five promising ballot proposals to make city government work better, faster, and more efficiently. But there are numerous other opportunities to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that slow government down, increase costs, and make it harder to get things done in New York—many of which do not require charter changes. Identifying and reducing these frustrating, costly, and time-consuming bureaucratic rules and processes will be increasingly important at a time when the city faces massive policy challenges but also growing fiscal constraints.

This forum will explore specific opportunities to reduce outdated, unnecessary, and redundant bureaucratic hurdles across city government—from approvals at the Department of Buildings and FDNY to contracting, procurement, hiring, and other core government processes. It will be a solutions-focused conversation that delves into rules and practices ripe for improvement and advances practical ideas for how city leaders can make these changes happen. It will discuss the ballot proposals put forward by COGE. 

Details
Tuesday, September 22nd
8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (doors open at 8; program begins at 8:45)
The Mezzanine
55 Broadway

To attend in-person, please RSVP via this link.
To watch the livestream, please RSVP via this link.

We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in our programs. For questions or requests regarding access and accommodation, please contact Sophia Tumolo at [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance of the program.

This event is made possible through generous support from the Fisher Brothers Foundation and Winston C. Fisher. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation, Robin Hood, and the Altman Foundation, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.