New York City, January 1, 2026
In a surprising final act, former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed 19 bills from the City Council, affecting affordable housing, street vendor reforms, and worker protections. The incoming City Council, anticipating veto overrides, is prepared to challenge these decisions, reflecting a deep policy divide. Adams justified his actions by claiming the measures would exacerbate the city’s housing crisis and harm small businesses. The vetoes not only highlight pressing issues but also signal a contentious legislative environment ahead as the new leadership addresses these critical matters.
New York City – In a dramatic finale to his time in office, former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed 19 bills passed by the City Council, significantly impacting key areas such as affordable housing, street vending reforms, and worker protections. These vetoes, issued mere hours before the end of his term, are poised to spark considerable debate in the new City Council, which is anticipated to challenge these decisions with veto-proof majorities on many of the bills.
Key Legislation Affected
- Affordable Housing Measures: Among the rejected bills were those aimed at ensuring city-financed housing included a minimum percentage of two- and three-bedroom units, alongside mandates for affordability criteria targeting very low-income households.
- Street Vendor Reforms: Adams vetoed legislation that sought to decriminalize illegal street vending and increase the availability of vending licenses, a move that some argued would support local entrepreneurship.
- Worker Protections: Proposed bills that aimed to establish minimum pay standards for grocery delivery workers and security guards were also vetoed, along with measures requiring ride-hailing companies to justify driver deactivations.
- Immigration and Police Accountability: The vetoed measures included provisions to limit federal immigration authority operations on Rikers Island and to enhance access to police body-camera footage for the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Mayor’s Rationale
Adams defended his vetoes by arguing that the measures would exacerbate the city’s already pressing affordable housing crisis and impose new, costly mandates on small businesses. He described the proposed street vending regulations as creating “an untested new licensing regime” which could potentially disrupt established businesses and the vital entrepreneurial spirit.
Council’s Response
The incoming City Council Speaker Julie Menin has asserted that the Council will thoroughly review each vetoed bill, indicating a willingness to pursue overrides for several of the measures. This commitment signals a robust dialogue ahead, where council members may strive to introduce legislation that aligns more closely with their constituents’ needs and aspirations.
Background
The bills, which were passed in December 2025, represented a concerted effort by the City Council to address urgent issues surrounding housing affordability, street vendor rights, and enhanced worker protections. Adams’ last-minute vetoes encapsulate a fundamental policy disagreement between his administration and the newly empowered City Council, setting the stage for anticipated legislative confrontations in the upcoming year.
Conclusion
The vetoes issued by Mayor Adams underscore the complex challenges that New York City faces in various sectors, from housing to labor rights. As the new City Council prepares to engage with these vetoed measures, stakeholders from all corners of the city will be watching closely. The outcome of these discussions will not only shape policies but also influence the entrepreneurial landscape of New York City. Residents are encouraged to remain engaged and informed about these developments, as the decisions made in the coming months will have lasting impacts on the community and local economy.
FAQs
- What bills did Mayor Eric Adams veto?
- Mayor Eric Adams vetoed 19 bills passed by the City Council, including legislation on affordable housing, street vending, worker protections, and immigration and police accountability.
- Why did Mayor Adams veto these bills?
- Adams stated that the bills would worsen the affordable housing crisis, undermine small businesses with untested licensing regimes for street vendors, and violate state laws governing labor and law enforcement systems.
- What is the City Council’s response to the vetoes?
- Incoming City Council Speaker Julie Menin indicated that the Council would “take a close look” at each vetoed bill, with overrides likely on several measures.
- When did these events occur?
- The vetoes were issued on December 31, 2025, just hours before Mayor Adams’ term ended.
- What is the significance of these vetoes?
- The vetoes highlight a significant policy disagreement between the outgoing mayor and the City Council, setting the stage for potential legislative battles in the new year.
| Legislation Affected | Key Provisions | Mayor’s Reason for Veto |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable Housing Measures | Bills requiring city-financed housing to include a minimum percentage of two- and three-bedroom units, and to set affordability levels for very low-income households. | “Worsen our affordable housing crisis with new, unfunded mandates and red tape.” |
| Street Vendor Reforms | Legislation aimed at decriminalizing illegal street vending and expanding the number of vending licenses available. | “Undermine our small businesses with an untested new licensing regime for street vendors.” |
| Worker Protections | Bills establishing minimum pay standards for grocery delivery workers and security guards, and requiring ride-hailing companies to provide just cause for driver deactivations. | Not specified in the available sources. |
| Immigration and Police Accountability | Measures to prohibit federal immigration authorities from operating on Rikers Island and to grant the Civilian Complaint Review Board access to police body-camera footage. | Not specified in the available sources. |
Now Happening on X
- @AndrewGiambrone (Dec 31, 2025): In one of his last acts as mayor, Eric Adams vetoes NYC Council legislation that expands street vending licenses to bring more vendors into legal compliance, setting up a potential override vote. View on X
- @dlondonwortel (Jan 1, 2026): Eric Adams just vetoed a key bill as one of his final acts as mayor, calling it an absolute evil move. View on X
- @EricDinowitzNYC (Jan 1, 2026): Mayor Adams’ veto of the affordable housing bill is an anti-family decision that prioritizes unit counts over people, pushing parents and children out of the city. View on X
- @helloDCWP (Dec 31, 2025): The agency released statements condemning Mayor Adams’ veto of key worker-protection and small business legislation, reaffirming commitment to supporting NYC’s hard-working communities. View on X
- @nypost (Jul 31, 2025): Eric Adams vetoes City Council’s bid to decriminalize illegal vending in NYC. View on X
- @CityDeskNYC (Dec 31, 2025): Adams vetoed the bills to protect small businesses from performative mandates that harm workers and vendors, criticizing the incoming council’s approach. View on X
- @ZohranKMamdani (Jul 14, 2025): Eric Adams vetoed housing voucher expansion in 2023, refused to implement after override, and now a court mandates it—highlighting waste during the housing crisis. View on X
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