City Council Considering Online Petition System For New York City

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - From the White House to City Hall?

A system based on the White House's "We The People" online petition platform is being considered for New York City.

The White House promises that any petition on the website that gets 100,000 signatures within 30 days will get a response.

Councilman James Vacca of the Bronx is sponsoring a bill to make a New York City version of the site.

"There's no vehicle for people to register their views collectively about public policy issues or legislation before the City Council," Vacca told 1010 WINS. "This will give people a chance to weigh in, in numbers, to try to convince city government to take action."

Vacca believes such a system would help get more people involved with the issues facing the city.

"I think something like this appeals to people of all ages. I think especially young people would be encouraged now to come forth and to get involved," Vacca said. "It opens up participatory government to people throughout our city who may now think their voice doesn't mean much because they're only one voice."

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