NEW YORK: New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams testified before the St. Louis Board of Aldermen today as the legislature considers a bill to establish a similar position in their city. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of an elected, independent ombudsman in city government, speaking to his own experience in the role and offering recommendations for a new office in St. Louis. “There is the stature of the office as a City-wide level elected,” argued Public Advocate Williams after speaking to several recent achievements by his office and outlining the history and powers of the role. “This facilitates the full force of the bully pulpit to bring a voice to the voters that cannot be ignored by the administration nor any other level of government.” The Public Advocate acknowledged some of the challenges of the office, including budget and staff limitations, and urged that a newly created position address these areas from the outset. He reiterated the importance of the role as a counterbalance to other executives. Board Bill 71, legislation from Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, would put a proposed charter amendment before St. Louis voters to create a position of public advocate and office of public advocacy. Should the City of St. Louis move forward in creating the position, Public Advocate Williams recommended that:
- The operational budget of the office must be appropriately sized and comparable to the city-wide office holder;
- The Charter Commission should delineate in the Charter the percentage of the budget that will be allocated to the Public Advocate; and
- The Public Advocate should have the power to subpoena records, as well as witnesses.
Watch the Public Advocate’s full testimony and dialogue with the St. Louis Board of Aldermen here.