New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been facing backlash over his policy that requires elected officials to fill out a lengthy online form to communicate with his administration and request resources from city agencies. However, City Councilmember Lincoln Restler has introduced legislation to put an end to this protocol if passed.
Restler’s bill aims to prevent Mayor Adams from interfering with the way city agencies collaborate with elected officials. He believes that city agencies should work with all elected officials as directed by the city charter, without any unnecessary barriers imposed by the mayor.
This move by Restler is part of an ongoing power struggle between Mayor Adams and local lawmakers, particularly members of the City Council. The conflict began when the mayor and his team implemented the form requirement earlier this year, leading to pushback from many elected officials.
Despite the pushback, some administration staff members have been filling out the forms on behalf of officials who refuse to do so themselves. Restler’s proposed legislation would amend the city charter to clarify that forms are not required for agency heads and elected officials to meet and collaborate effectively.
In response to criticisms, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams defended the use of the form, stating that it has been a useful tool for managing inquiries, events, and meetings within the administration. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of cooperation between different levels of government in serving the residents of New York City.
Overall, the introduction of this legislation highlights the tension between Mayor Adams and local lawmakers regarding the communication and collaboration processes within the city government. If passed, the bill could potentially eliminate the controversial form requirement and streamline interactions between elected officials and city agencies for the benefit of all New Yorkers.
