CITYWIDE — CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER Julie Menin on Thursday unveiled committee chair assignments for the new Council term, distributing top posts across allies, rivals and first-term members in a bid to balance internal politics, according to City & State.
Several of Menin’s opponents in the speaker race landed influential chairs. Crystal Hudson will lead general welfare, overseeing homelessness and social services, while Selvena Brooks-Powers was tapped to chair criminal justice. Amanda Farías will head the Women and gender equity division, and Chris Marte will chair a land-use subcommittee. Key Menin allies secured major roles, including Oswald Feliz in public safety, Eric Dinowitz in education and Shekar Krishnan in oversight.
Seven of the Council’s 11 freshmen received chair assignments, an unusually high share. Menin said negotiations stretched late into the night amid logistical hurdles. The Council will operate 40 committees and subcommittees this term, including several newly created panels focused on hate crimes, disability and early childhood education.
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