Governor

Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor is ostensibly the most powerful elected official after the governor, but is often overlooked due to a relative lack of power and largely serves as the Governor's second-in-command, as well as as the first in line to replace the Governor in the event the Governor vacates the office.  The Lieutenant Governor is often the one to replace the Governor as the representative of the State at events and official functions if the Governor cannot attend.

The Lieutenant Governor is elected to a four year term on the same cycle as the Governor and, like the Governor, has no term limits or restrictions on terms.

The Lieutenant Governor is a relatively powerless role, with primary functions that include:

• Serves as President of the State Senate, a formal role;
• Can cast a vote in the State Senate, but only in the event of a tie
• Serves on the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments, State Defense Council and Board of Trustees for the State University of NY College of Environmental Science and Forestry;
• Often chairs regional councils, task forces, and boards on behalf of Executive branch
• Can be assigned other responsibilities and duties as the Governor assigns
  

New York State Assembly

The New York State Assembly, which is comprised of Assembly members, is the lower chamber of the New York State Legislature. Alongside the New York State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the New York state government. It is comprised of 150 seats, of which 65 represent New York City.  As one half of the Legislative Branch, the Assembly is responsible for drafting, debating, and submitting legislation to become law, which can range from setting levels for state spending to determining social agendas.  The Assembly is the most direct way for New York residents to appeal their issues to the State. While the Assembly is a part of the state's legislative branch, it can only submit bills that have also been approved in the State Senate.  The Assembly is led by the Speaker of the Assembly

Assembly members serve two-year terms without term limits, meaning that the entire Assembly is up every two years.

The Assembly has a variety of powers and serves an integral role in the State government, with primary functions including:

• Appoints the Speaker of the Assembly
• The appropriation of funds for the operation of State government, its agencies and for aid to local governments
• The submission, debate, and approval of statewide laws and declarations, with the approval of the State Senate
• Can override gubernatorial (the Governor's) veto with a two-thirds (2/3) majority, as long as the same applies in the Senate
• The definition of acts or omissions that constitute crimes and the setting of penalties;
• The promotion of the public welfare, including that of the State's indigent, mentally ill and unemployed; and the correction, clarification, amendment or repeal of laws that are outdated or confusing;
• Can organize legislative committees dedicated to addressing specific policy areas or issues, ranging from environmental policy to addressing the impact of drugs and alcohol in the State
• Can initiate impeachment hearings for elected and appointed officials within the State
• Can create and issue reports on a variety of issues
• Can propose amendments to the State Constitution via statewide referendum

Speaker of the Assembly

The Speaker of the Assembly is the presiding officer of the body and, alongside the Governor and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, is among the most powerful positions in State politics, serving in a variety of powerful committees and with the ability to control legislative actions within the Assembly.

The Speaker is not directly elected by New York voters, but is instead selected by the Assembly from amongst its members.  The Speaker is not term limited, but must be re-elected every two years after successfully retaining their Assembly seat.

The Speaker's primary duties and functions include:

• Negotiating with the Governor and Senate Majority Leader on the annual budget
• Preserving order and decorum of the Assembly
• Deciding all questions of order and procedure during Assembly sessions
• Setting the agenda of the Assembly, including selecting the bills to be considered by the general assembly
• Appoints all committee and subcommittee members

New York State Senate

The New York State Senate, comprised of State Senators, is the upper chamber of the New York State Legislature. Alongside the New York State Assembly, it forms the legislative branch of the New York state government. It is currently comprised of 63 seats, of which 25 represent New York City. Like the Assembly, the State Senate is primarily responsible for creating, debating, and submitting legislation to become State law, though it holds some additional powers compared to the Assembly. The Senate can only submit laws that have been approved by the Assembly.  Though the Senate is officially presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, this is an ex officio position and much of the day-to-day responsibilities instead rests with the President Pro Tempore. Like the Assembly, the Senate is organized into committees that are responsible for discussing and approving legislation based on specific policy areas.

State Senators are elected to two-year terms have no term limits, like the Assembly.

The State Senate is an important part of the legislative branch of New York State government, with primary functions including;

• The appropriation of funds for the operation of state government and its agencies and for aid to local governments
• The submission, debate, and approval of statewide laws and declarations, with the approval of the State Assembly
• Can override gubernatorial (the Governor's) veto with a two-thirds (2/3) majority, as long as the same applies in the Assembly
• The examination and approval/rejection of gubernatorial appointees within the State bureaucracy
• The examination and approval/rejection of court judges
• The definition of acts or omissions that constitute crimes and the setting of penalties
• The promotion of the public welfare, including that of the State's indigent, mentally ill and unemployed; and the correction, clarification, amendment or repeal of laws that are outdated or confusing;
• Can organize legislative committees dedicated to addressing specific policy areas or issues, ranging from environmental policy to addressing the impact of drugs and alcohol in the State
• Can initiate impeachment hearings for elected and appointed officials within the State
• Can create and issue reports on a variety of issues

The President Pro Tempore of the Senate

The President Pro Tempore (Temporary President) is the functionary leader of the Senate. While the Lieutenant Governor is constitutionally the official leader, the President Pro Tempore handles almost all of the official duties of the Senate and, alongside the Governor and Speaker of the Assembly, is one of the most powerful offices in State politics.

The President Pro Tempore is not directly elected by voters but is instead elected from the ranks of the Senate, usually being the Majority Leader of the Senate or a senator designated by the Majority Leader.  The President Pro Tempore is not term limited, but must first retain their Senate seat in order to be eligible.

The President Pro Tempore's primary duties and functions include:

• Negotiating with the Governor and Speaker of the Assembly on the annual budget
• Preserving order and decorum of the Senate
• Deciding all questions of order and procedure during Senate sessions
• Setting the agenda of the Senate, including selecting the bills to be considered by the general Senate
• Appoints all committee and subcommittee members

District Leader

A District Leader is an unpaid volunteer elected official. All formal parties (of which there are 8 as of October 2020) in New York State are required to have at least one District Leader (DL) per Assembly District (AD) and typically have one male and one female District Leader. This means there are roughly 2,400 District Leaders, with 1,040 of those residing in the 65 districts that comprise New York City. The District Leaders effectively serve as an on-the-ground representative of their respective parties and as a link between constituents and the party apparatus.

These positions are subject to primary elections every two years. This guarantees that any party with formal status in New York State (e.g. a permanent ballot line) is democratically governed by its members.

District Leaders have a few functions, including:

• Votes on chair of the county party;
• Appoints election workers;
• Helps to select judicial nominees
• Creates foundation for party candidates in their district and works with campaigns to ensure success
  

New York State Comptroller

The New York State Comptroller is the State’s chief fiscal officer who ensures that State and local governments use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently to promote the common good. From auditing state agencies to managing the State's retirement fund, the Comptroller's office is one of the most important positions in State government that is directly elected by New York voters.

The State Comptroller is elected to a four year term, and does not have term limits.  In the event of a vacancy, the State Legislature appoints an individual to finish the remainder of departing Comptroller's term

The Comptroller’s primary responsibilities include:

• Serving as sole trustee of the $194.3 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund, one of the largest institutional investors in the world.
• Administering the New York State and Local Retirement System for public employees
• Maintaining the State’s accounting system and administering the State’s approximately $16.7 billion payroll.
• Reporting on State finances and practices
• Managing and issuing State debt.
• Reviewing State contracts and auditing payments.
• Conducting audits of State agencies and public benefit corporations.
• Overseeing the fiscal affairs of local governments, including New York City
• Overseeing the Justice Court Fund and the Oil Spill Fund.
• Serving as custodian of more than $16.5 billion in unclaimed funds, restoring lost accounts to their rightful owners.
• Conducting training and providing technical assistance to improve government operations at all levels.

New York State Attorney General

The Attorney General’s Office is charged with the statutory and common law powers to protect consumers and investors, charitable donors, the public health and environment, civil rights, and the rights of wage-earners and businesses across the State. While the Attorney General acts independently of the Governor, the Governor or a state agency may request the Attorney General to undertake specific criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The Attorney General is elected to a four year term and has no term limits.

The Attorney General has primary functions that include:

• Serves as the State’s chief legal officer
• Established as the “Lawyer for the State”
• Serves as the head of the Department of Law
• Represents the State in legal disputes
• Responsible for the prosecution of all actions for or against the State
• Controls the legal affairs of state officers and departments
• Administers the activities and investigations of the State Organized Crime Task Force and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.