NYC Council Pushes for Expanded Approval Power Over Mayoral Appointments

On Thursday, July 18th, the New York City Council officially submitted legislation to the Board of Elections, aiming to expand its approval power over mayoral appointments. The proposed “advice and consent” bill seeks to increase the Council’s oversight from 60 to 80 mayoral appointees, including commissioners of various city agencies.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, along with several council members, rallied outside City Hall to support the proposal. They emphasized the importance of this measure in promoting transparency and public input in the appointment process. “Advice and consent is a foundational process within democracy that ensures our government prioritizes the public’s interest over private interests and protects against the abuse of power in government,” said Speaker Adams.

If the proposal is approved by voters in the November 5th general election, the City Council will have the authority to hold public hearings and votes on the appointments of 20 additional agency heads. These include critical positions such as the heads of the Departments of Housing Preservation and Development, Health, and Social Services. The City Council argues that this measure will prevent individuals who lack qualifications or fall short of ethical standards from leading city agencies.

The move comes amid tensions with Mayor Eric Adams, who formed a Charter Revision Commission in May that could potentially block the City Council’s proposal. By law, if the Commission submits its own ballot questions by August 5, the City Council’s proposal would be removed from the ballot. The Commission has been criticized for rushing its process, but Mayor Adams insists it was not created solely to thwart the City Council’s bill.

Mayor Adams has expressed concerns that expanding the City Council’s approval power could leave city agencies leaderless for extended periods and politicize the appointment process. Despite these objections, he did not veto the bill when it was passed by a 46-vote supermajority in the City Council last month.

The Charter Revision Commission’s preliminary report, released in June, included various proposals, such as assessing the fiscal impact of City Council bills earlier in the legislative process and increasing community engagement in public safety legislation. The final two Commission hearings are scheduled for later this month, where public input will be further solicited.

As the deadline approaches, the debate between the City Council and the Mayor’s office highlights the ongoing struggle over control in New York City’s governance. The outcome of this legislative push could significantly reshape the balance of power between the city’s legislative and executive branches.