N.Y. Executive Law § 4: Secretary and counsel to the governor

§ 4. Secretary and counsel to the governor. A secretary to the

governor shall be appointed by the governor, and shall receive a salary

to be fixed by the governor within the amount appropriated therefor. It

shall be the duty of such secretary to assist the governor in matters

pertaining to the executive department and perform such duties as the

governor may assign to him. The governor may also appoint and at

pleasure remove a counsel to the governor who shall receive a salary to

be fixed by the governor within the amount appropriated therefor. It

shall be the duty of such counsel to advise the governor in regard to

the constitutionality, consistency and legal effect of bills presented

to the governor for his approval and on matters involving the exercise

of executive clemency and such other legal matters as may be referred to

him by the governor.