Bureaucracy 101

Since government can get very complicated, we're happy to limit this year's "101" to New York City only. Still, New York City Government is in charge of the health and well-being of 8,274,527 people—making us the most populous city in the United States (by more than a 4 million-person margin). We equal about ten San Franciscos, two Oregons, twelve Alaskas and almost three Mississippis.

Like the Federal government, New York City government is divided into three branches: Executive, Judicial and Legislative. New York City has a very strong Mayor-council-government structure, which is the oldest and most common form of government. You can find the City's official rules in its Charter (PDF).
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The Executive branch of New York City consists of the Mayor, the Public Advocate, the Comptroller and five Borough Presidents. All of the City Departments (like the Department of Transportation or Department of Buildings, for example) are part of the Executive branch and under the Mayor's control.
Mayor
Term: 4 years
Term Limit: 3 (as of 2008)

The Mayor of the City of New York is New York City's Chief Executive Officer. The Mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies and enforces all city and state laws. Specific duties include appointing agency Commissioners (the Department of Transportation, the New York Police Department, the Department of City Planning, Economic Development Corporation, etc.), administering the City's budget and signing (or vetoing) legislation from the City Council. Perhaps most importantly, the Mayor sets the City's political agenda and helps craft a vision for its future. A good example of this type of mayoral initiative is PlaNYC, the city's long-term sustainability plan.


Borough President
Term: 4 years
Term Limit: 3 (as of 2008)

Borough Presidents (BPs) are one of the last vestiges of New York City before Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and the Bronx were consolidated in 1898. The Borough President was formerly part of the powerful City Board of Estimate, which was abolished in 1990 after being declared unconstitutional.

While having limited specifically enumerated powers, the BP can exert significant influence on projects and policies within his or her borough. Formally, the BP must appoint one member of the city Planning Commission and one member of the Panel for Educational Policy. BPs also advise the Mayor on their borough's needs, advocate for these needs through the budget process, comment on land use proposals (parking, developments and so on) and appoint members to Community Boards.


Public Advocate
Term: 4 years
Term Limit: 3 (as of 2008)

The Public Advocate, next in line to the mayor, advocates on behalf of the needs of the people of the City of New York. With super-Council Member status, the Public Advocate presides over all meetings of the City Council and is a member of every Council committee. The Public Advocate can introduce and sponsor City Council legislation, and cast a vote in the case of a tie. The Public Advocate also keeps agencies and officials in line with the City Charter, and proposes new policies and programs that he or she believes will benefit New Yorkers.


Comptroller
Term: 4 years
Term Limit: 3 (as of 2008)

The Comptroller is the City's Chief Financial Officer. The Comptroller's primary responsibility is to ensure the financial health of New York City. To do so, he or she certifies the City Budget, approves all City Contracts, audits City agencies and invests the City's pension funds. The Comptroller also makes recommendations on City programs and operations, as well as fiscal policies and transactions.
LEGISLATIVE
City Council Member
Term: 4 years
Term Limit: 3 (as of 2008)

The New York City Council is the city's law-making body and is an equal partner with the Mayor in the governing of New York. Its 51 members approve the budget, review land use decisions and legislate everything from bicycle parking to the sales tax. The Council also keeps agencies on their toes with oversight hearings to determine whether the funds they allocated to that agency are being spent wisely.
District Attorney

Term: 4 years
Term Limit: None

Each borough in New York City has one District Attorney. The District Attorney's office, comprised of many individual prosecutors, is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of crimes in his or her respective borough. A DA will often work closely with other branches of government, with an ability to affect public policy around matters of criminal justice and push for reforms to existing laws and statutes on both a city and state level.