New York State Counsel to the Governor Departments and Divisions Subject Files

Statement on Language

Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.

Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
This series consists of the subject files of the Counsel to the Governor's office which relate to the departments and divisions of New York State government. The counsel's responsibilities included making recommendations on proposed legislation; acting as a liaison between the Governor's Office and the State Legislature; and advising the Governor on policy and program matters. Much of this material relates to policy matters or to legal, legislative, jurisdictional, or administrative aspects of the departments and divisions.
Title
New York State Counsel to the Governor Departments and Divisions subject files
Quantity
8.5 cubic feet
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
B2338
Creator
Arrangement

Alphabetical.

Administrative History

Governor W. Averell Harriman chose Judge Daniel Gutman, President Justice of the Municipal Court of New York, as his counsel. Mr. Gutman, a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and an Assistant District Attorney of Kings County, served in the New York State Assembly from 1938 to 1939 and the New York State Senate from 1939 to 1943. In 1943, he was elected as a Justice of the Municipal Court and in February 1954, he was appointed President Justice.

The duties of the Counsel to the Governor included clearing and making recommendations on proposed legislation; acting as a liaison between the Governor's Office and the State Legislature; negotiating interstate or international agreements; clearing all contracts, as to content and form, which required the governor's signature (Power Authority contracts, etc.); making recommendations on all appointments to the judiciary; acting as a liaison between the governor and all investigative bodies; making recommendations on applications for pardons and clemency; and advising the governor on many policy and program matters.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of the subject files of the Counsel to the Governor's office which relate to the departments and divisions of New York State government. Records consist of correspondence, memoranda, telegrams, reports, press releases, messages, clippings and bills relating to the various departments and divisions. Much of the material relates to policy matters or to legal, legislative, jurisdictional, or administrative aspects of the departments and divisions.

B2338-18: Subjects covered in this accretion include public works projects, rent control, and mental health policy.

13682_07Accretion 13682-07, Governor Harriman central subject and correspondence files, contains related records.

Acquisition Information

This series was transferred to Syracuse University from Governor Harriman in 1959, and was transferred to the New York State Archives in 2006. It was accessioned in October 2011.

Access Restrictions

Records are available for inspection and copying under the Freedom of Information Law, unless that law exempts particular records from disclosure.

Navigation