The President of the City Council, Adrienne Adams, is elected by the members of the Council and is responsible for setting priorities, passing laws and allocating public money for the benefit of New Yorkers. The City Council of New York City is the legislative body, with 51 elected members, one from each council district. This body has the power to enact laws, approve the City's budget and oversee the activities of municipal agencies. It also legislates on a wide range of other issues, collaborating on an equal footing with the Mayor in New York City government.
The Mayor appoints the directors of each municipal agency and can approve or veto legislation passed by the City Council. The City Council sets annual goals to determine the highest priorities that the municipal organization must implement each fiscal year. It is then the task of the city manager, his staff, and the heads of the city's departments to implement these policies as an executive body. New York City is a global leader in industries ranging from technology to transportation, financial services, fashion, healthcare and education.
It is made up of five boroughs (Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island) and is home to 8.4 million people who speak more than 200 languages, come from all corners of the world and, together, are the heart and soul of this dynamic city. Throughout its history, New York City Council members have made some of the most important political decisions that have shaped this city. From approving budgets to enacting laws that protect citizens' rights and safety, these decisions have had a lasting impact on New York City's development. For example, in 2020, Mayor Adams proposed a budget that included $1 billion in cuts to NYPD funding.
This decision was met with both praise and criticism from citizens and council members alike. The budget was ultimately approved by a majority vote in the City Council. This decision was seen as a major victory for those advocating for police reform in New York City. In addition to approving budgets, New York City Council members have also passed laws that protect citizens' rights and safety.
In 2019, they passed a law that requires employers to provide paid sick leave for employees who are ill or need to care for a family member. This law was seen as a major victory for workers' rights advocates in New York City. New York City Council members have also passed laws that protect citizens from discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. In 2019, they passed a law that prohibits discrimination against transgender individuals in employment, housing and public accommodations.
This law was seen as a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights advocates in New York City. New York City Council members have also passed laws that protect citizens from environmental hazards. In 2020, they passed a law that requires buildings over 25,000 square feet to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. This law was seen as a major victory for environmental activists in New York City.
These are just some of the most important political decisions made by city council members of New York City over time. From approving budgets to enacting laws that protect citizens' rights and safety, these decisions have had a lasting impact on New York City's development and will continue to shape its future for years to come.
