New York City is a unique and complex place, and the Council creates laws to provide a framework for governing it. In addition to the laws of New York State, which include the New York Constitution, laws passed by the New York legislature, and court decisions that interpret New York laws, NYC has its own set of regulations. The Port Authority is a joint agency between the Governor of New Jersey and the Governor of New York that manages regional transportation, including bridges and tunnels between New York City and New Jersey, as well as all of the city's airports and seaports. NYC Health+ Hospitals (HHC) operates public hospitals and clinics, while the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is responsible for economic development.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) manages public transportation in the city through its branch, the New York City Transit Authority. The President of the Council is often considered to be the second most powerful position in the city government after the mayor. The Office of the Attorney General has 13 regional offices that help carry out its defense, regulatory, and affirmative justice functions throughout New York State. The state court system includes two municipal courts, the Criminal Court and the Civil Court, as well as several state courts such as the Supreme Court, Surrogacy Court, and Family Court.
Students who take part in a program are eligible to sit for the New York Bar Association exam in February of their last year of study before graduating. The city government employs approximately 330,000 people, more than any other city or country in the United States. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has authority to review decisions made by federal district courts in New York. The MTA also operates commuter lines such as the Staten Island Railroad in NYC, Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North Railroad.
Bronx County and New York County are in the Southern District while Kings, Queens and Richmond Counties are in the Eastern District. Both districts have concurrent jurisdiction over waters in their respective districts. Local governments are authorized to adopt local laws in addition to ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations. The State of New York allows admission upon request without examination to applicants who have practiced for five of the seven previous years and are authorized to practice in at least one Reciprocal U.
The mayor is responsible for creating the city's budget through the Office of Management and Budget of the Mayor's Office.
