NYC Bill Aims to End Mayor Adams' Controversial Form Requirement for Elected Officials

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A contentious policy initiated by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, requiring elected officials to complete a multipage online form to engage with his administration and request resources, may soon be repealed. The policy, introduced in April, has drawn significant criticism from local lawmakers who argue that it unnecessarily complicates the process of communicating with city agencies.

City Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who represents parts of North Brooklyn and chairs the City Council’s government operations committee, introduced legislation on Friday that would immediately nullify the mayor’s protocol if passed. The bill would amend the city charter to ensure that elected officials can interact with city agency heads without the need to complete any pre-emptive forms or paperwork.

Restler, a vocal critic of the policy, argued that the mayor’s form politicizes the process by which city agencies are allowed to work with elected officials. "The role of city agencies is to work with all elected officials,” Restler said. “That is what the [city] charter directs our parks [and] sanitation [departments] and [the] NYPD to do — and the mayor has tried to insert himself into the middle of this process.”

The controversy surrounding the form began earlier this year when more than 60 elected officials signed a letter urging Mayor Adams to abandon the policy. Despite this opposition, the mayor's administration has continued to enforce the form, with some officials refusing to comply and choosing to contact agencies directly.

Restler’s legislation has garnered support from other council members, including Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who also criticized the form when it was first introduced. According to Restler, the proposed bill seeks to eliminate what he describes as “silly hoops” that officials are currently required to jump through to obtain assistance from city agencies.

In response to the proposed legislation, Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, defended the use of the form, stating that it is an efficient way to manage the numerous inquiries, events, and meetings that the administration handles. "Mayor Adams has used these forms since he was borough president, and they are efficient ways to manage all of the inquiries, events, and meetings that the administration receives so that we can work together for New Yorkers," Garcia said.

As the bill moves forward, the City Council will deliberate on whether to strike down the form requirement, potentially restoring more direct communication channels between elected officials and the mayor's office. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the balance of power between New York City’s executive and legislative branches.