Governor Hochul Announces Actions to Restore Public Trust in New York City’s Municipal Government Leadership

Creates Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs To Support and Protect Independence of City Investigations

Gives Independently-Elected City Officials Powers To Litigate Against the Federal Government and Defend the Rights of Constituents

Strengthens New York State Comptroller Oversight of New York City’s Finances

Special Authorities Designed To Expire at the End of 2025

Governor Kathy Hochul today proposed new actions to restore public trust in New York City government with a sweeping expansion of state oversight and new guardrails to ensure accountability and protect New Yorkers. These actions will require legislative action and would take effect immediately upon passage.

“To move this city forward, I am undertaking the implementation of certain guardrails that I believe are a first start toward re-establishing trust for New York City residents,” Governor Hochul said. “These proposed guardrails will help ensure that all decisions out of City Hall are in the clear interests of the people of New York City and not at the behest of the President.”

Governor Hochul announced the following actions:

New Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs and Protection of City Commissioner of Investigation

A new Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs will be established within the Office of the New York State Inspector General. The Special Inspector General for New York City Affairs will receive updates and information directly from the New York City Department of Investigations (NYCDOI) about corruption investigations, and also be able to direct NYCDOI to commence investigations across city government.

To ensure her continued independence, the New York City Charter will be revised to provide that the Mayor of New York City will not be able to terminate the New York City Commissioner of Investigation without approval by the State Inspector General.

This new structure will ensure that state officials have access to information about any current or future investigations. It will also allow the State to closely monitor or advance any such investigations into potential corruption within city government.

Empowering Citywide Elected Leaders To Utilize Federal Litigation

Under the Governor’s plan, the City Comptroller, Council and Public Advocate will be given explicit authority to bring litigation against the federal government using outside counsel if the City's Law Department declines to do so promptly after a request. Such litigation could be filed against any federal government agency or entity.

This action will ensure that New Yorkers have multiple avenues to initiate legal action in cases where the rights or freedoms of New York City residents are under attack by the federal government.

Strengthens State Oversight of New York City’s Finances

Given the unprecedented breadth and number of executive orders and other policy documents and notices issued by the Trump Administration, the Governor is proposing additional funds for the Office of the State Comptroller of the City to support the State’s existing ability to continue to monitor the City and its finances in this complex environment.

The State will expand the Office of the Deputy State Comptroller for City Oversight. The new funding will be paid for using New York City tax receipts.

These new resources will enable state officials to more closely monitor New York City’s fiscal operations, and to take any actions needed based on such review.