The City Council is currently facing a dramatic decline in productivity, with its 51 members having introduced 86% fewer bills this year compared to 2024, according to The Post.
Significant Drop in Bill Introductions
Since January 21, the Council has submitted only 114 prospective “local laws.” This is a stark contrast to the 858 bills produced during the same period last year, coinciding with the creation of a Charter Revision Commission aimed at reviewing the mayor’s authority.
Impact of Staff Resources
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, disconnected from her rival, Mayor Adams, has diverted essential staff resources to the Charter Revision Commission. This has detracted from their capacity to assist in drafting new legislation.
Distractions from Legislative Duties
Adding to the strain, Speaker Adams announced a longshot mayoral run in March. Many of her core staff members are now focused on her campaign, further limiting their legislative contributions. “We’re definitely understaffed, and the leadership is really distracted,” stated a Democratic council member.
Declining Resolution Introductions
The Council’s legislative resolutions are also in freefall, with only 155 introduced since January 21. This represents a 61% drop from the 394 resolutions put forward during the same timeframe last year.
Legislative Process Delays
Traditionally, the process of creating a bill or resolution begins with a Council member presenting an idea to central staffers. However, council members have reported that this year the legislative division requires more time to draft bills. “It’s ironic when I’m trying to get a simple bill drafted but the speaker is infringing on her own democratic institution by taking away valuable resources,” lamented a Democratic council aide.
Stalled Legislation from Council Members
Four Council members—Kristy Marmorato (R-Bronx), Darlene Mealy (D-Brooklyn), Francisco Moya (D-Queens), and Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn)—have yet to introduce any legislation this year. Moya expressed frustration at not having drafts of four pending bills, while Marmorato prefers to focus on direct community engagement over drafting legislation.
Calls for Increased Legislative Focus
Critics argue that as Speaker Adams campaigns for mayor, it would be beneficial for her to utilize her position for significant policy initiatives. A Democratic councilmember reflected, “You’d think she would use her superpower to do big-policy platforms, but there’s been no flurry of activity.”
Council’s Legislative History During Crises
The Council’s legislative activity has also dwindled during the pandemic, but the current number of bills introduced is merely a slight uptick from those years. Amidst this backdrop, Council spokesperson Julia Agos claimed that staffing has been bolstered, with the number of bill drafters tripled.
Political Perspectives on Productivity
Mayor Adams’ spokeswoman emphasized the importance of collaboration with the City Council, and Councilman Robert Holden offered a cautious interpretation of the situation, suggesting that reduced legislative activity might actually benefit New Yorkers. “The less this City Council does, the better off New Yorkers are,” he remarked.
NYC Council’s Legislative Productivity Plummets in 2023
Significant Drop in Bill Introductions
The New York City Council has reportedly experienced a dramatic reduction in legislative productivity, with the introduction of bills dropping by 86% compared to the previous year. This year, only 114 bills have been put forward since January 21, contrasted with 858 during the same stretch in 2024.
Impact of the Charter Revision Commission
The decline in legislative output coincides with the formation of a Charter Revision Commission, intended to evaluate the mayor’s powers. Critics argue that the Council’s staff resources have been overextended, diverting attention from essential legislative tasks.
The Role of Council Speaker
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who has been involved in a mayoral campaign, is under scrutiny for the thinning of central staff, which has affected bill drafting processes. Some members express concern that the focus on political ambitions is detracting from the Council’s core legislative responsibilities.
Understaffing and Delays
Members of the Council have voiced frustrations regarding staffing issues, indicating that the normal legislative process, which typically takes around 60 days, is now facing delays. These delays have hindered the ability to pass important legislation and engage in necessary public discussions.
Differing Perspectives Among Council Members
A few Council members have yet to introduce any legislation this year, with some citing a preference for focusing on community engagement rather than drafting bills. Members express differing views on the Council’s current direction, indicating varied priorities among representatives.
Comparison to Previous Years
The current legislative output is troubling when compared to previous years, even during the pandemic. With only 114 bills introduced this year, the figures are starkly low compared to the 369 and 152 bills put forth in the same timeframe during 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Political Perspectives and Future Outlook
Despite the challenges, some Council members see the decreased activity as a potential benefit. They suggest that a quieter legislative period may offer New Yorkers some respite from burdensome regulations. Moving forward, the Council’s ability to balance political ambitions with effective governance will be critical for the community it serves.
