City Council’s power grab threatens to further worsen NYC government dysfunction

The City Council is pushing for increased control over top mayoral appointments, seeking approval authority over chiefs of the NYPD, FDNY, and other key agencies. (source)

Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) is proposing a model similar to the federal government, where the Senate must approve every Cabinet member and their top assistants.

This approach has caused delays in the federal government, with new Cabinet appointments taking months and full staffing taking over a year.

This kind of process has contributed to dysfunction in Washington, and should the city follow the same path?

Mayor Bill de Blasio gave the council the power to veto the city’s top lawyer, the Law Department chief. Now, they are blocking Randy Mastro’s appointment because of his past service as deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani.

140 years ago, mayors were granted the sole power to appoint agency heads and commissioners for a reason. Then-Gov. Grover Cleveland stressed the importance of not making bad nominations due to limited options.

Why should a mayor, elected citywide, conform to the interests of council members? They will bear sole responsibility for any failed appointees.

The Adams administration highlights that the City Charter already grants the council significant oversight on the mayor’s power in budget, land use, and oversight.

The council has exploited these powers to increase spending, restrict the NYPD, and release inmates from Rikers Island, among other actions.

New Yorkers need their mayor and top aides to focus on their responsibilities, not comply with unnecessary demands from councilors with too much time on their hands.

In reality, city governance would improve if the council’s power were significantly reduced.