The New York City Council elected Melissa Mark-Viverito, an East Harlem liberal and a favorite of new Mayor Bill de Blasio, as its speaker.
The position is arguably the second most powerful position in the city. The 51-member council must ratify the municipal budget by June 30.
De Blasio is expected to present his first municipal budget in late January or early February.
The council approved her nomination 51-0 the afternoon of Jan. 8 after her lone competitor, Daniel Garodnick of Manhattan, conceded on the council floor.
"I look forward to working with Speaker Mark-Viverito and to helping her to ensure that we can deliver a sound and responsible government for all New Yorkers. She is a smart and committed public servant, and we have worked extremely well together in the past," Garodnick said in a statement.
Mark-Viverito, a San Juan native and Columbia University graduate, became the first Puerto Rican woman and Latina elected to represent the 8th Council District with her election in 2005. She was an early supporter of de Blasio's mayoral bid.
"Melissa will be a forceful advocate for all New York City residents. I look forward to working with Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and all of the newly inaugurated city council members in the coming years," New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a statement.
Moody's Investors Service rates the city's general obligation bonds Aa2, while Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's rate them AA.
