Brad Lander: A Progressive Watchdog Shaping
a Financially Strong and Sustainable NYC
New York City is a bustling metropolis, home to over 8 million people and billions in infrastructure, programs, and pensions. Managing this enormous system takes vision, integrity, and a deep understanding of how the city's financial and public policies affect the everyday lives of New Yorkers. That's where Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller, steps in.
Let’s break down who Brad Lander is, what he does as Comptroller, and how his work impacts the present and future of New York City.
Step 1: Understanding the Role of the NYC Comptroller
The Comptroller is more than just a bookkeeper.
As New York City’s Chief Financial Officer, Brad Lander leads an office of nearly 800 public servants working to ensure transparency, integrity, and long-term financial sustainability across city operations. The office plays a crucial role in:
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Overseeing city spending
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Auditing city agencies
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Managing public pension funds
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Issuing bonds for infrastructure
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Investigating waste, fraud, and inefficiency
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Supporting climate and housing initiatives
Lander's role ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively, honestly, and in ways that reflect New York’s long-term needs.
Step 2: Protecting the Retirement of 750,000+ Public Workers
One of the Comptroller's most important duties is overseeing the City’s pension funds, which provide retirement benefits for over 750,000 current and retired city workers, including teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants.
Lander has championed a prudent, long-term, diversified investment strategy, while pushing these investments in a forward-looking direction.
Climate Action in Pensions
Under his leadership:
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Three NYC pension funds adopted a detailed plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
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Actions include divesting from fossil fuels, pressuring corporations to decarbonize, and investing in green technologies.
These are some of the most aggressive climate goals for public pension funds in the country.
Step 3: Holding City Agencies Accountable
Brad Lander serves as NYC’s chief accountability officer. His audits and reports have uncovered major gaps in financial oversight and service delivery.
Notable investigations include:
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Uncovered $250 million underreported costs in the NYC Ferry system
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Highlighted loopholes and inefficiencies in emergency COVID-19 procurements
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Exposed the ineffectiveness of homeless encampment sweeps
His team also launched the first detailed analysis of emergency shelter spending for asylum seekers — helping shape better strategies for managing the humanitarian crisis.
Step 4: Improving Government Transparency
The Comptroller’s office under Lander is focused on shining a light on city operations.
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Launched the Department of Correction Dashboard, bringing transparency to city jails.
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Partnered with Mayor Eric Adams to speed up delayed payments to nonprofit human service providers, some of which were waiting nearly a year to be paid.
These steps ensure public agencies operate with fairness and accountability.
Step 5: Combating the Climate Crisis & Supporting Workers
Lander believes that public finance should align with public values — including climate justice and workers’ rights.
His Public Solar NYC initiative aims to:
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Create a “public option” for rooftop solar
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Expand access to clean energy
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Generate green union jobs across the five boroughs
He has also leveraged NYC’s shareholder power — through its pension funds — to push for corporate responsibility.
For example, in 2023, the pension funds led a campaign where Starbucks shareholders voted for an independent review of the company’s labor practices. This is a significant step toward protecting the rights of workers.
Step 6: Building a More Resilient City Through Infrastructure
Infrastructure is a critical part of New York City’s future — and it requires long-term investment and smart planning.
As of mid-2023, Comptroller Lander has overseen $7.8 billion in municipal bonds for:
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Schools
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Parks
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Climate resiliency
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Water and sewer upgrades
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Public transportation
He introduced social bonds and tender solicitations, innovative tools that have saved the city hundreds of millions of dollars, even during times of rising interest rates.
Lander also worked closely with the Adams administration to improve project delivery, ensuring infrastructure projects are completed on time and on budget.
Step 7: A Background in Public Service
Before becoming Comptroller in 2021, Brad Lander served for 12 years on the New York City Council.
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He co-founded the Council’s Progressive Caucus
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Championed tenant rights, workers’ protections, and affordable housing
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Advocated for safe streets and school integration
Even before entering politics, he led organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and Pratt Center for Community Development, working hands-on with communities to promote equity and development.
Final Thoughts: A Vision for a Fairer NYC
Brad Lander brings more than financial expertise — he brings vision, progressive values, and deep accountability to a role that affects every aspect of New York City life.
From protecting retirement pensions to funding green energy and holding city contracts to account, his work is helping to build a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable New York City — one audit, investment, and initiative at a time.
Whether it’s infrastructure, pensions, or justice — Brad Lander is proving that smart finance and social progress can go hand in hand.
