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HOW NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL WORKS

It's like NYC Mayor is the President and City Council is Congress...
 

City Council's main jobs:

  1. Introduce and vote on legislation/laws affecting all aspects of City life

  2. Approve and modify the City’s budget with the Mayor 

  3. Monitor City agencies like the Department of Education and the NYPD to make sure they’re effective

  4. Review land use and make decisions about the growth and development of our city

Quick Facts:

  • NY City Council is made up of 51 members from 51 districts across all five boroughs

  • NYC's budget is approximately $116 billion

  • Every City Councilmember sits on committee(s) which focus on specific issues

  • The Mayor has power to veto any legislation passed by the City Council

  • The City Council can override a Mayor's veto with a 2/3rd vote​

What happens with the money?
 

City Council and Mayor pass a $112-116 billion budget

Each district and councilmen gets $1-2 million in discretionary funding 

Use this budget for local needs like street cleanups and schools

Councilmembers recieve funds for senior services and youth development projects in the district

In addition, D5 can get an extra $1-3 million through the Participatory Budget 

Residents of D5 can vote on what this money is used for in the community

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What does this mean?
 

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  • City Council has the final say in any large development projects or rezoning in a neighborhood

  • City Council affects agencies like NYPD, helping set their budgets and introducing regulations or reforms through passing local laws

  • Approve or direct any local projects in the district 

  • Your City Council and Mayor affects your life more than the federal government

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