NYC Lawmakers Fume After Kathy Hochul’s Veto Aids Incoming Mayor Mamdani

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed legislation that would have limited the power of the New York City mayor to block charter changes from appearing on the ballot, a move that has left City Council members frustrated and preserved the authority that will soon be inherited by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, as reported by the New York Post.

The veto, issued earlier this month, halted a bill that sought to prevent mayors from sidelining City Council–approved charter amendments by creating a charter revision commission.

The decision effectively maintains a mechanism that allows the mayor to remove council-backed proposals from voter consideration, a power that outgoing Mayor Eric Adams used this year.

City Council members reacted sharply, arguing that Hochul’s action undermines democratic processes and strengthens the incoming mayor’s hand just weeks before Mamdani is set to take office.

“This veto is disappointing and leaves a major threat to democracy and good governance in place for New York City and local governments across the state,” a City Council spokesperson said in a statement.

“State law should not continue to enable mayors to abusively and undemocratically block ballot access for local lawmakers and voters to propose referenda.”

Under current law, the City Council may advance proposed changes to the city charter, often described as New York City’s governing constitution, for a public vote.

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However, the mayor can effectively remove those proposals from the ballot by establishing a charter revision commission, which then puts forward its own recommendations.

The bill vetoed by Hochul would have stripped mayors of the ability to bump council-backed amendments from the ballot, while still allowing them to convene commissions and submit separate proposals.

State Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat from Manhattan who sponsored the bill, criticized the veto and raised questions about the political timing.

“This change in the law doesn’t take away a mayor’s right to create a commission and put his or her own recommendations on the ballot. But it does allow the City Council and the public the right to put on their own questions on the ballot as well,” Krueger said.

Krueger also wondered publicly whether Mamdani had asked Hochul to veto the legislation.

Mamdani, who won last month’s mayoral election, has already found himself at odds with City Council members on several issues during the transition period.

Neither Mamdani nor Hochul commented Monday on the speculation surrounding the veto. In her formal veto message, Hochul said she was concerned the measure could cause confusion and disrupt governance across the state.

“Permitting multiple sets of proposals from various commissions to be placed on the ballot may give rise to conflicting proposals, voter confusion, and the passage of inconsistent policies,” Hochul wrote.

Hochul’s office did not respond to a request for additional comment.

Beyond limiting the mayor’s authority over council-backed proposals, the bill would also have prevented mayors from blocking charter revisions initiated by citizen petitions.

Supporters argued the changes were necessary to ensure broader ballot access and prevent executive overreach.

Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Democrat from Manhattan and the Assembly sponsor of the legislation, also criticized Hochul’s decision.

“The actions of past mayors and undoubtedly future mayors have shown the necessity of ending the mayor’s power to bump other charter proposals off the ballot,” Simone said in a statement to The Post.

“I am disappointed by this veto and will continue working towards reform in the new year,” he added.

Both Simone and Krueger endorsed Mamdani in the general election, a fact that has added to the unease among council members who now see mayoral authority preserved as the city prepares for a new administration.

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