Sentence:  But it would greatly <WSD>strengthen</WSD> any Mayor 's executive powers , remove the excuse in large degree that he is a captive of inaction in the Board of Estimate , increase his budget-making authority both as to expense and capital budgets , and vest in him the right to reorganize city departments in the interest of efficiency and economy . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  make strong or stronger