Margaret Morris has a Crystal Clear Vision for the Common Council
Four proposed changes to the Common Council under Margaret’s Presidency:
Every resolution will require a Council member sponsor, who must clearly explain why the issue is a matter for the Council and why it affects Hudson residents.
Public comment will be limited to Hudson residents to ensure local voices remain at the heart of discussion.
We will restore a strong committee structure, so Council members can do real work between meetings. Committees — Finance, Legal, Safety (Fire & Police), Public Works (DPW & Code Enforcement), and Youth & Seniors — will meet in informal working sessions to develop ideas and tackle problems in depth. These committees will then report key findings back to the full Council for debate and action.
I will work with NYCOM to provide annual ethics training to members of the Common Council; I have completed New York State Ethics Training and will hold us to that standard.
What is the role of the Common Council?
I am running to make sure the Council has a clear voice in the budget process and that residents see a transparent, honest presentation of how their tax dollars will be spent.
The Common Council is Hudson’s legislative branch. They pass local laws — whether reducing speed limits or updating zoning to enable new housing options like accessory dwelling units. They also oversee the City’s budget, which is prepared by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment (the Council President, Treasurer, and Mayor). In the fall, the Board drafts the budget. The Council then votes on the budget. Currently, these budgets are not being transparently presented either to the public or to the Council. I intend to change that. Presentation of the budget to the Council and also to the public will provide explanations at the Department level of all changes to the budget and justifications for those changes.