Gov. Kathy Hochul’s push to limit embattled Eric Adams’ powers as mayor may be dead on arrival in Albany – as some state lawmakers slammed the plan as all show.
Hochul unveiled a set of “guardrails” last week after pressure from fellow Democrats to use her authority to remove Adams over concerns the Trump administration’s move to drop federal corruption charges against Hizzoner made him beholden to the White House.
But some officials called the “guardrails” an effort to appear tough with no real substance.
“I’m not interested in carrying her water,” one lawmaker told The Post.
Lawmakers from both chambers briefed about the governor’s plan said they were skeptical it’d actually have any effect on reining in the mayor – if it ever gets to Albany in the first place.
Before it does, a two-thirds majority of the City Council needs to sign off, and it’s unclear the effort will clear that hurdle. Adams is up for re-election this year and facing a Democratic Party primary in June.
Hochul’s plan would install a new state inspector general to oversee the Big Apple, give other city officials the power to file lawsuits and beefup funding for the state comptroller’s office in the city.
Hochul’s “guardrails” would be in effect until the end of 2025 and be subject to renewal.
The plan was announced after Trump’s Department of Justice moved to drop the federal corruption charges against Adams, which some said put the mayor under President Trump’s thumb.
One source close to state legislative leaders said the next step would be for the City Council to sign off on the necessary “home rule” message before it’s brought up for a more detailed discussion amongst Democratic state lawmakers.
It’s unclear how the plan could even be considered in Albany for several weeks, the source added.
Beyond that, it’s unclear if there’s much support for handcuffing Adams, who says he doesn’t need guardrails.
“I think that’s a bad precedent,” Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens) told The Post.
“I think we should just let the process play out. I haven’t seen anything to rise to the level of removing a duly elected mayor of the city of New York,” Weprin said.
Another political insider even compared Hochul’s move to the president.
“This is a proposal worthy of Donald Trump,” one political insider offered to The Post.
Hochul stood by her plan and said she’d continue to speak to the City Council.
“This is what I believe is the most thoughtful rational approach at this time,” Hochul told reporters at an unrelated press conference in Albany Tuesday. “Now others may have a different opinion.”
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