New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday unveiled the Commission on Government Efficiency — a 15-member panel that will hold 10 public hearings across the five boroughs and propose charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot. The new body is explicitly framed as a deliberate alternative to the federal DOGE initiative, which collapsed in November 2025 under Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
Who's on the Commission
Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard will chair the commission. Labor leaders including Henry Garrido of District Council 37 are also on the panel. Mamdani replaced a prior charter review panel inherited from former Mayor Eric Adams and introduced COGE in its place.
How COGE Differs From DOGE
Unlike the federal DOGE — which pursued aggressive workforce reductions and contract cancellations — COGE will focus on voter-approved charter changes covering housing approvals, procurement, and service delivery. The mayor emphasized that any savings will not come from service cuts. The commission's scope is narrower and more deliberate, aiming to improve efficiency without slashing public programs.
Bezos Weighs In
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos endorsed the commission, suggesting that any savings could underwrite a tax cut for low-income earners. His endorsement mirrors a zero-tax proposal for low earners that Bezos has recently promoted. The support from a major business figure gives COGE some cross-sector credibility but also raises questions about how aggressively the commission will pursue cuts.
Skepticism From Critics
Not everyone is on board. Critics question whether a commission heavy on union input can produce real savings, given Mamdani's progressive policy agenda. With leaders like Garrido at the table, some observers wonder if the commission will find enough fat to trim without touching cherished programs. The mayor's promise of no service cuts only deepens that skepticism.
The first public meeting is set for June 4, with borough hearings beginning June 9 — six months after Mamdani's mayoral victory. All eyes will be on whether COGE can deliver charter amendments that both improve efficiency and pass muster with voters in November.
