New York City

NYC Council passes two-year lobbying ban on former top City Hall staffers

January 24, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
City Councilmember Lincoln Restler gives remarks. Photo by John McCarten
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CITY HALL — THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL on Thursday voted overwhelmingly — 39 to 9 — to pass legislation that will slow down the city’s “revolving door” lobbying system. Councilmember Lincoln Restler (D-Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights) sponsored the bill banning former senior mayoral staffers from lobbying any city agency for two years after leaving their city employment. Previously, former top administration staffers were limited from lobbying only the Mayor’s Office for one year, with no restrictions on lobbying any other city agency.

“New Yorkers deserve to know that public servants are prioritizing their best interests, not special interests,” Restler, who is chair of the Committee on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation, said in a statement. “We will no longer allow for the most senior staff at City Hall to be more focused on amassing power and wealth than delivering for New Yorkers.”

The legislation, with 18 co-sponsors, mirrors state rules, and was applauded by Citizens Union Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum and Common Cause New York Executive Director Susan Lerner. In 2023, clients paid lobbyists $131 million dollars to lobby NYC officials and policymakers.

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