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Does The Council Have Subpoena Powers?

By Jeffrey B. Cohen

August 10, 2009

So, put aside for a minute whether the city council should or shouldn't subpoena city officials and documents as it deliberates over various city budgets.

Because the question now, apparently, is - does it even have the power to do so? Corporation Counsel John Rose has weighed in. And he says nope.

"The council has no authority to compel the attendance of persons or the production of documents based on the existing provisions of the charter," Rose wrote in a letter to the city council.

The matter is on the agenda for tonight's council meeting. Read the letter by clicking on the link in the "Related Links" box.