Duties
The Public Advocate presides over all meetings of the New York City Council. As the presiding officer, the Public Advocate is an ex-officio member of all committees in the Council, and in that capacity has the right to introduce and co-sponsor legislation. The Public Advocate also serves as an ombudsman for city government, providing oversight for city agencies, investigating citizens' complaints about city services and making proposals to address perceived shortcomings or failures of those services. These duties, worded somewhat ambiguously, are laid out in Section 24 of the City Charter. The Public Advocate is also charged with appointing members to various boards and commissions, including one member of the New York City Planning Commission. The Public Advocate serves on the committee which selects the director of the Independent Budget Office.
Along with the Mayor and the Comptroller, it is one of only three municipal offices elected by all the city's voters.
Read more about this topic: New York City Public Advocate
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