City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is pushing for new legislation that would require Mayor Eric Adams to obtain approval for commissioner-level appointments in his administration, sparking tensions between lawmakers and the mayor. The proposal, which was discussed in a closed-door meeting with Democratic members of the council, aims to broaden the council’s oversight powers in the appointment process. This comes as the mayor is seeking confirmation for Randy Mastro as New York City’s top lawyer, a move that has divided council members, with some rallying against Mastro’s appointment.
The Adams administration has been lobbying council members for support before officially announcing Mastro as its pick for corporation counsel, replacing Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix who raised concerns about the city representing the mayor against sexual assault claims. While the city charter currently grants mayors broad authority to appoint agency heads, the proposed bill would significantly limit that power. While it is unclear which appointees would be subject to council oversight, initial discussions suggest that all top appointments except for police, fire, and correction commissioners may require council approval.
The relationship between Mayor Adams and the City Council has been strained due to disagreements over key policies, such as housing voucher programs, which led to the council overriding the mayor’s veto to implement changes earlier this year. The council also overrode vetoes on issues related to solitary confinement and police transparency, further highlighting the growing divide between the two branches of government. Speaker Adams had previously introduced legislation requiring confirmation of the NYPD commissioner while serving as Public Safety Committee Chair, indicating a longstanding interest in expanding the council’s oversight role.
Under the City Charter, the council already has the authority to approve the leadership of various city agencies, including the Department of Investigation and the Law Department, in addition to board members of agencies such as the Art Commission, Board of Health, and Taxi and Limousine Commission. The proposed legislation would further expand the council’s oversight to include more key appointments in the administration, reflecting a desire for increased checks and balances in the city’s governance. As discussions continue on the specifics of the bill, tensions between the mayor and the council are likely to escalate as both sides seek to assert their authority in the appointment process.
