New York City Council Passes Bill to Increase Power, Oversight Over Mayoral Appointments

New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks during his weekly press conference at New York City Hall, on Nov. 14, 2023. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

The New York City Council on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to pass a measure that would grant it more power and oversight over mayor-appointed commissioner positions, despite opposition from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.

The legislation, titled “Requiring Council Advice and Consent for Certain Commissioners,” was introduced by Adrienne Adams, speaker of the council, and passed in a 46-4 vote.

Under the measure, the advice and consent of the council would be required as part of the appointment process for 20 city agency commissioners, including those who head the sanitation, parks, social services, cultural affairs, design and construction, environmental protection, finance, health, and mental hygiene departments, upon subsequent approval by voters in a citywide election.

Currently, the 51-member legislative body must give its consent before the appointment of more than a dozen roles, including the Corporation Counsel, the Department of Investigations (DOI) Commissioner, and the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Commissioner. It also has the power to approve or veto these positions.

The legislation includes guardrails aimed at ensuring the appointment process is not delayed, stipulating that the council must, within 30 days after its first meeting following receipt of a nomination, hold a hearing and act upon such nomination.

If the council does not act within that period, the nomination shall be deemed to be confirmed, according to the measure.

‘Undoubtedly Bad’ for New Yorkers

Mr. Adams has opposed the expansion of the council’s powers, arguing that the mayor has had sole authority to appoint commissioners and agency heads since 1884 “for good reason” and that, if enacted the bill would be “undoubtedly bad for New Yorkers.”

“Any uncertainty or delay in appointing agency leadership creates the real possibility for harm from delayed service delivery,” he wrote in his formal opposition to the bill, which was submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Governmental Operations last month.

“From emergency management to senior services, to health care continuity, to garbage collection and construction safety — this bill risks diminishing the city’s ability to manage and respond to the service needs that we all hear from the public every day,” the mayor added.

Mr. Adams also claimed the bill would lead to the “politicization of the appointment process” which could have “harmful implications for New York City’s professional governance.” It would also “seriously hamper” the city’s ability to attract and retain good talent, he argued.

While Mr. Adams has opposed the legislation, the council argues that the measure is needed to bolster public transparency, ensure highly qualified individuals are elected to leadership positions, and stave off any potential conflicts of interest or ethical issues.

“Advice and consent is a safeguard of good government, ensuring the city’s agency leaders are qualified and their priority is the public interest,” Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said in a statement on Thursday.

“When you cut through the noise, the truth is that advice and consent is a common feature of representative democracy in cities and states across this country, including New York, and New York City is an outlier,” she continued. “Today’s vote to pass this legislation supports the Council’s efforts to advance transparency and is a first step in this important conversation about representative democracy that is accountable to its people, and the final decision ultimately must be made by voters.”

Legislation Increases Public Transparency

The council on Thursday said that it has approved over 35 appointments of nominees put forward by the mayor “without issue” during his time in office.

It is not clear whether or not the mayor, a Democrat, will veto the legislation.

The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for Mr. Adams’ office for further comment.

Thursday’s vote on the legislation comes as the council and the Adams administration have repeatedly clashed over multiple policy and budget issues in recent months, including his potential decision to nominate attorney Randy Mastro as corporation counsel, replacing Sylvia Hinds-Radix.

The vote also comes as negotiations continue regarding the city’s $111.6 billion budget, which is due by June 30.