NYC Council Member Accused of Chronic Absenteeism Skips Hearings for Upstate Trip
Chi Ossé, who has the city's worst attendance record, missed committee votes and hearings to attend a rally in Syracuse.
New York City Council member Chi Ossé has again been accused of neglecting his official duties, reportedly skipping government hearings in New York City to travel upstate for a rally. Ossé, a democratic socialist and ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, reportedly traveled to Rochester and Syracuse on Monday and Tuesday, missing key legislative proceedings.
The New York Post reported that Ossé has the worst attendance record of any city council member. He missed an oversight hearing on the city's first comprehensive cultural plan, known as "CreateNYC," as well as two committee votes on an urban development project and a property tax exemption. These absences occurred on the same days The Post highlighted his chronic absenteeism.
Ossé had announced his upstate trip on social media, stating his intention to attend a rally for lower electric bills. "New York I’m going on tour…to take over our utilities! It’s time to lower our energy bills and secure clean, renewable energy!," he posted on X.
According to the report, Ossé has missed four of the council's 18 stated meetings during the 2025-2026 legislative sessions. His attendance at committee meetings stands at 67.6%, placing him among the least engaged council members.
Responding to previous reporting on his attendance, Ossé claimed his travels were in service of fighting energy company Con Edison. "I’ve been traveling across New York State fighting to take over ConEd to lower our energy bills! I promise I’ll be back soon XO," he wrote on X.
An unnamed Democratic operative expressed skepticism about Ossé's upstate activities. "You can’t drive to Syracuse, meet a few people for a few minutes, put out a press release, and call that work. We call that cheap," the operative told The Post.
The rally in Syracuse, titled "Take Back Our Power," was scheduled to feature Ossé alongside state Assembly member Sarahana Shrestha and Onondaga County Legislator Mo Brown, and was sponsored by the Syracuse branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). In response to a flyer for the rally, one social media user commented, "Respectfully, focus on the issues of the constituents in your district."
Representatives for Ossé and the City Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment.