New York Governor Proposes New Actions to Restore Public Trust in City Government

On Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed new actions to restore public trust in the New York City government. She announced sweeping expansions of state oversight and new guardrails to ensure accountability and the protection of New Yorkers.

However, the governor noted that these actions would require legislative action and that they would take effect immediately upon passage.

Proposed Guardrails

“To move this city forward, I am undertaking the implementation of certain guardrails that I believe are a first start toward re-establishing trust for New York City residents,” Hochul said. “These proposed guardrails will help ensure that all decisions out of City Hall are in the clear interests of the people of New York City and not at the behest of the president.”

New Special Inspector General

The governor announced the establishment of a new Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs and Protection of City Commissioner of Investigation. The new Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs will be established within the New York State Inspector General Office.

The Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs will receive updates and information directly from the New York City Department of Investigations (NYCDOI) about corruption investigations and can also direct NYCDOI to commence investigations across the city government.

Revised New York City Charter

To ensure her continued independence, Hochul said the New York City Charter will be revised to provide that the Mayor of New York City cannot terminate the New York City Commissioner of Investigation without approval by the State Inspector General.

“This new structure will ensure that state officials have access to information about any current or future investigations,” she said. “It will also allow the state to closely monitor or advance any such investigations into potential corruption within city government.”

Litigation Against Federal Government

Under the governor’s plan, the City Comptroller, Council, and Public Advocate will be given “explicit authority” to bring litigation against the federal government, using outside counsel if the city’s law department declines to do so promptly after a request.

Hochul said such litigation could be filed against any federal government agency or entity.

Additional Funding for Office of State Comptroller

Given the unprecedented breadth and number of executive orders, as well as other policy documents and notices, issued by the Trump administration, the governor proposed additional funds for the Office of the State Comptroller of the City to support the state’s existing ability to continue to monitor the city and its finances “in this complex environment.”

She said the state will expand the Office of the Deputy State Comptroller for City Oversight and that the new funding will be paid using New York City tax receipts.

Reactions

In response, Mayor Eric Adams said in a brief statement that he “was elected by the people of New York City and its working-class communities to uphold their values — and that is what our administration has done.”

“No new checks that New York State could impose on New York City will fix that issue,” he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Thursday. “Eric Adams sold out New Yorkers to avoid prosecution for corruption charges in a quid pro quo deal with the Trump administration, plain and simple.”

“Now, he is working with the Trump administration to separate families in New York City in direct violation of our local sanctuary policies,” Awawdeh added. “All New Yorkers will face real and dire consequences from Governor Hochul’s refusal to hold the mayor Mayorntable for his actions.”

“The people will not remain silent in the face of the threat posed by Eric Adams to immigrant New Yorkers,” he continued, stating that Caribbean and other New Yorkers will take to the streets on Saturday, February 22, at Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan “to demand that Eric Adams must be removed from office.”

Amid Adams’s collusion with Trump, Caribbean and other immigrant advocates in New York have urged the city workforce not to collude with agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

Conclusion

The proposed actions aim to restore public trust in the New York City government and ensure accountability and protection of New Yorkers. The governor’s plan includes the establishment of a new Special Inspector General, revised New York City Charter, and additional funding for the Office of State Comptroller.

FAQs

* What is the purpose of the proposed guardrails?
+ To ensure that all decisions out of City Hall are in the clear interests of the people of New York City and not at the behest of the president.
* What is the role of the new Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs?
+ To receive updates and information directly from the New York City Department of Investigations (NYCDOI) about corruption investigations and to direct NYCDOI to commence investigations across the city government.
* What is the revised New York City Charter proposing?
+ To provide that the Mayor of New York City cannot terminate the New York City Commissioner of Investigation without approval by the State Inspector General.
* What is the purpose of the additional funding for the Office of State Comptroller?
+ To support the state’s existing ability to continue to monitor the city and its finances “in this complex environment”.