Government

From Rocky to Pataki : Character and Caricatures in New York Politics
by Hy Rosen, Peter Slocum, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Alfonse M. D'Amato

"Covering New York State politics from the late 1950s to the late 1990s, Peter Slocum offers frank - and not always flattering - stories from more than fifty political players, while Hy Rosen's editorial cartoons paint a portrait of the Empire State as it soared under the grand dreams of Rockefeller, nearly went bust in the aftermath, and struggled to bounce back in the nineties. Interviews with Governors Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, and George Pataki; New York City mayors Ed Koch and John Lindsay; and Senators Alfonse D'Amato and Daniel Patrick Moynihan highlight this powerful look at four decades of political ups and downs in Albany."

Mayor

The Mayor, elected every four years, heads the City's executive branch. The Mayor, Michael Bloomberg (Republican) lives at Gracie Mansion and works at City Hall.

City Council

The 51 member New York City Council is the legislative branch of city government. Council Members propose bills (new laws); after committee debate and public testimony, the bills may be amended. The committee then votes on the revised bills, which if passed, are voted on by the Council. If passed by an affirmative vote by a majority of Council Members (at least 26 members), the bills are then sent to the Mayor, who also holds a public hearing and either signs or vetos the bills. If the bills are vetoed, the Council can repass the bills by a vote of two-thirds or more of the council. -- http://www.council.nyc.ny.us/index.html

Currently, New York City Council is made up of 51 Council Members elected from 51 Council Districts throughout the five Boroughs of the City of New York. Enter your address to find your district and representative at http://www.cmap.nypirg.org.

New York City Board of Elections

The New York City Board of Elections enforces all laws relating to elections in New York City. -- http://vote.nyc.ny.us/

New York City Campaign Finance Board

The five member Board, an independent, nonpartisan agency, has three primary mandates: (1) to administer the New York City Campaign Finance Program, issuing public matching funds to campaigns and ensuring that participating candidates comply with the Program's requirements; (2) to publish and distribute the New York City Voter Guide; and (3) to implement a debate requirement for candidates in the Campaign Finance Program who are running for the citywide offices of Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate.

Two members are appointed by the Mayor and two by the Speaker of the City Council. The Chairman is appointed by the Mayor after consultation with the Speaker. Boardmembers serve staggered five-year terms. -- http://www.cfb.nyc.ny.us/

see State Government information... | see Federal Government information...