Lawmakers demand answers on snow removal, school decisions, and accessibility
City Council Calls Mamdani Administration to Account on Winter Storm Response
The New York City Council announced it would hold a formal hearing to examine how the Mamdani administration managed the city’s response to recent winter storms, including the historic blizzard of February 2026 that dumped nearly two feet of snow on the five boroughs. The hearing had originally been scheduled for the week of February 23 but was postponed when the blizzard itself made it logistically impossible to hold. Acting Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan was expected to testify alongside other administration officials.
What Lawmakers Want to Know
Council members are expected to focus on several areas of concern. Snow removal response times and the prioritization of plowing routes are likely to receive significant scrutiny, particularly as Staten Island residents and officials reported that many streets remained impassable for days after the storm. The administration’s decision to reopen schools for in-person learning on the Tuesday following the blizzard, while many streets and sidewalks remained hazardous, drew criticism from parents, union leaders, and local officials across the borough. Accessibility issues during winter storms represent another expected focus. People with disabilities, residents who rely on buses rather than the subway, and elderly New Yorkers are disproportionately affected when snow is not cleared from bus stops, crosswalks, and sidewalks. The city has specific legal obligations regarding accessibility during emergencies under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and advocates have argued that these obligations are routinely inadequate during major storms.
Staten Island’s Particular Frustration
Of all five boroughs, Staten Island typically suffers most acutely during major snowstorms. The borough is less densely served by the subway system than Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx, and its residents are more dependent on buses and personal vehicles. When roads are unplowed, the practical effect on daily life is more severe than in transit-rich areas. By the week after the blizzard, Acting Sanitation Commissioner Lojan reported that all streets on Staten Island had received at least one pass from a plow. Some dead ends and bus lanes still needed additional attention. The sanitation department pledged that Forest Avenue would be fully cleared in advance of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Tools of Accountability
The City Council hearing is one of the primary mechanisms through which New York City’s legislature holds the executive branch accountable. Commissioners and senior officials are called to testify, answer questions under oath, and defend policy decisions. The hearings are public and often serve as forums for community members, advocates, and affected residents to have their concerns placed on the official record. The hearing on storm response is particularly timely given the administration’s ongoing efforts to negotiate budget priorities with Albany. The city’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies depends in part on funding for the Department of Sanitation, emergency management, and public health agencies, all of which are subject to the budget pressures Mamdani is currently navigating. Residents can track plowing progress on their streets at nyc.gov/plownyc. The NYC Department of Sanitation publishes updates on snow operations during and after storms. Council hearings like this one play a critical role in ensuring that the lessons of each storm are incorporated into future preparedness planning.
