Day Three - Back to City Hall

This morning I headed back down to City Hall to meet the New York City Comptroller, John Liu, and the New York City Public Advocate, Bill De Blasio.

MR. LIU AND ME

John C. Liu is the current Comptroller of the City of New York. He was a very nice man and he told me a lot of things about his job as Comptroller.

I learned that the Comptroller is independently elected by the voters of the City, not appointed by the Mayor. The New York City Comptroller is the Chief Financial Officer of the City of New York, which basically means he is in charge of managing the City's money. Mr. Liu's job is to ensure the financial health of New York City by advising the Mayor, the City Council, and the public of the City's financial condition. The Comptroller also makes recommendations on City programs and operations, fiscal policies, and financial transactions. 

MR. DE BLASIO AND ME

Bill de Blasio is the current Public Advocate for NYC. He also told me lots of interesting things. He explained to me that the Public Advocate is also independently elected by the voters in New York City. The job of the Public Advocate is, mostly that of a "watchdog", ensuring that all New Yorkers receive the City services they deserve and have a voice in shaping the policies of their government. The Public Advocate is also an important participant in the legislative process. The Public Advocate also influences City planning, the budget process, and the management of retirement funds.

Mr. De Blasio told me that his top priorities as NYC's Public Advocate are: giving public school parents a voice in the education system; making government more efficient and transparent; and helping New Yorkers who are in need.

Fun NYC Factoid:

There was originally no marble cladding at the back side of New York's, City Hall building becuase the architects who designed it did not expect New York to expand further north.