How NYC LOCAL Government Works
Welcome to NYC! Home to 8.8 million people, where every neighborhood has its own personality and culture. The political representation of these neighborhoods is just as diverse and complex. In this post we’ll cover how it all breaks down at the local level (we won’t cover State and Federal here).
City Council
NYC is split into 51 local council districts, and each district is represented by a Council Member.
Council Members:
Create our local laws.
Monitor the operations of City agencies (like NYPD, DOE, Department of Health, etc.), holding public hearings where agencies testify and answer Council Members’ questions on public record.
Approve the City budget and make land use decisions. (Land use decisions determine what can be built, and what land can be used for).
In essence, our City Council Members serve as a check to the executive branch of City government, and advocate for the needs of their constituents.
Speaking of advocating, let’s get into the Office of the Public Advocate.
Public Adovcate
The Public Advocate is an independent elected official who is second in command to the Mayor. If the Mayor is unable to perform their duties, the Public Advocate is first in line to become Mayor. HOWEVER, the Public advocate does not serve the Mayor, they:
Investigate complaints regarding City services.
Are the main resource for anyone who is having trouble getting a specific service, answer, or the help they need from a City agency.
Are a non-voting member of the City Council, with the right to introduce and co-sponsor legislation.
Can also participate in City Council hearings (that I mentioned in the section above).
In simpler terms, the Public Advocate is the City’s watchdog.
City Comptroller
Another independent elected official is the City Comptroller, aka the City’s Chief Financial Officer. The Comptroller:
Ensures that the City spends, saves, invests and borrows money wisely.
Informs the public on the City’s financial state, and make recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council.
Audits and examine all matters relating to City dollars.
Is especially important for the interests of City workers (like me) because they protect and invest our pension funds.
So, if you’re interested in knowing how your taxpayer dollars are being spent, this is the Office you should call for information.
Borough Presidents
Before we cover the Mayor, it’s important for you to know about the ‘Mayors’ of each borough – the Borough Presidents. Borough Presidents are the executive officials of their borough.
Borough Presidents:
Work with the Mayor in preparing the annual budget.
Are provided millions of dollars in city budget funds every year to allocate for projects and services in their borough.
Weigh in on land use projects, and its significance to their borough.
Can co-sponsor legislation in the City Council.
If there is a project you want to receive more money, or any infrastructure you want to see repaired or upgraded, you should contact your Borough President.
Mayor
Finally, we have our Mayor. The Mayor is the highest office in all of New York City, the face of our City and our Chief Diplomat. Being Mayor is no easy job.
They’re tasked with balancing multiple conflicting interests at the same time. The Mayor must take care of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, providing shelter, housing and medical services, while also boosting our economy to make it stronger for businesses to thrive.
They set the City's priorities and determine how the City’s money is utilized, and so, so, SO much more.
It’s often said that being Mayor of New York City is the hardest political job, ~after~ the President of the United States.
The great thing about it is that New Yorkers elect every single one of these officials! We have the power to put these elected officials in their seats. If you’ve ever felt lost in the maze of politics and government, or intimidated by these ‘powerful’ officials, remember that. They all need ~you~ to get, and to keep their jobs. The power is all in our hands.