City Council set to override 4 mayoral vetoes

The New York City Council is set to overrule Mayor Eric Adams Thursday on four pieces of legislation he vetoed last month. If two-thirds of the members vote to override, the bills will pass into law despite Mayor Adams’ opposition.

The bills in question aim to expand pay equity reporting requirements to large private companies, limit how much recipients of housing vouchers have to contribute towards their rent, and codify the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (and give it some additional authority) in an attempt to get nonprofits paid on time. 

“The mayor abandoned working-class New Yorkers and good governance when he vetoed these bills,” council spokesperson Rendy Desamours said in a statement. “All of the legislation passed with veto-proof majorities, and we intend to deliver for New Yorkers by overriding all four of the mayor’s vetoes at our Stated meeting.”

Council Members Amanda Farías and Tiffany Cabán are lead sponsors of the two pay equity bills, while Council Member Diana Ayala sponsored the housing voucher bill and Council Member Julie Won sponsored the contracting bill.

The council’s likelihood of overriding the vetoes didn’t temper City Hall’s criticism. “These four bills are nothing but an attempt by the City Council to undermine any future mayor’s authority, burden businesses with unenforceable requirements, and encroach upon the state’s jurisdiction around social services,” First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro said in a statement, adding that he hopes to work with the council through the end of the year on “meaningful changes to make New York City a safer and more affordable place to live.” (He didn’t elaborate on what those might be.)

The four bills all originally passed on Oct. 9. City & State first reported that the mayor vetoed them on Nov. 7.  They’re among the major legislation the council is expected to pass before the end of the year.