New York City Mayor Eric Adams has introduced a policy requiring elected officials to use a new form for communication with city agency leaders, sparking controversy among lawmakers and council members. The policy, announced last week, mandates the use of a two-page 'elected officials engagement form' for any inquiries or requests, including speaking with commissioners or requesting district tours. This form, a 14-question Google Form, asks for details such as the official's address. Critics, including some council members, argue that this move could bog down government processes, with suggestions that the City Council should subpoena officials for information instead. The policy has been described as a crackdown on direct communication between city agencies and elected officials, with detractors labeling it as 'bureaucratic BS.' Concerns have also been raised about the potential for this policy to slow down communication, with NYPD head Ed Cabán and others questioning the efficacy of City Hall's new screening process for meetings. The form notably states, 'The City reserves the right to decline requests,' further fueling debates on transparency, with Mayor Adams being dubbed 'the most transparent mayor ever.'
The Adams administration is rolling out a new protocol that tells elected officials, such as city councilmembers, to fill out a form if they want to "engage with" leaders of city agencies. The form says, "The City reserves the right to decline requests.” https://t.co/GnZSVVfUTS
NYPD head Ed Cabán and others are questioning City Hall's screening process for meetings with elected officials. "You would imagine that this would slow down communication," a source told The News. https://t.co/QmviWzt0J6
"Most transparent mayor ever" @NYCMayor Adams and his team will now require all elected officials seeking assistance for the public to fill out a form and wait for a reply @katie_honan https://t.co/eAwcVWlcBQ
Under this new rule, a councilmember like @galeabrewer will have to fill out an online form to talk to buildings commissioner @HeyNowJO and @nycmator even though just a few years ago they were all in the trenches as presidents of their respective boros https://t.co/Ml7Czsl4Vi
Lawmakers furious at NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ crackdown on comms between Big Apple agencies, elected officials: ‘Bureaucratic BS’ https://t.co/92SNH3zggM https://t.co/9mrznCYcdE
Mayor Adams asks elected officials to fill out form to 'engage with' agency leaders https://t.co/zSqpvezQ1h
What the @NYCCouncil should do if @NYCMayor insists on having members complete a form to talk to agency heads is subpoena the officials to get answers. It will immediately put an end to this foolishness
Instead of calling commissioners or agency leadership, the Adams administration now wants council members and other elected officials to fill out a 14-question Google Form, that asks for their address. With @JoeAnuta: https://t.co/9NiylUg1TA
Eric Adams limits agency communication with lawmakers https://t.co/n0MF8qZ8lc
Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about being available to anyone in the city. But now, your elected official has to fill out a form to reach Adams and other senior level staff. https://t.co/yOdRRagkt2
Talk to the form! The mayor’s team announced a new two-page “elected officials engagement form” last Friday in a meeting with agency commissioners and other executives, then sent it to City Council members this week. — via @katie_honan https://t.co/6y20PaocYi
Form over function? @NYCMayor's team has created a centralized form for any and all elected officials seeking to speak with commissioners and request district tours. Some councilmembers say it will just jam up government: https://t.co/Ml7Czsl4Vi