In New York’s first female-majority City Council, nine of the leadership positions are being filled by members of the Bronx delegation.
Diana Ayala, who represents both East Harlem and parts of the South Bronx, is highest in the chain of command among Bronx representatives in the council, as deputy speaker, a newly created position. Ayala, who lives in East Harlem, is also chairing the General Welfare Committee.
While requests for comment from Ayala were unsuccessful, she told City and State last month that she didn’t know what the deputy speaker role entails. The City Council website does not provide a description of her role. But a City Council spokesperson told the Bronx Times on Tuesday that the deputy speaker sets the agenda and facilitates the City Council leadership team’s meetings, which allows for council leaders to provide meaningful input on legislation, council policies and organizational affairs.
