On September 30th, Public Advocate Betsy
Gotbaum appeared as the featured guest on "Brian Lehrer Live", where she spoke about the challenges and rewards of the public advocate's office; her advice for Bill de Blasio, and her accomplishments over the past eight years. Click below to launch a recording of the show.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum stood today with candidates running for
public advocate to protest massive budget cuts to the office and to
call for an independent budget. The 2010 budget, proposed by Mayor
Bloomberg and approved by Speaker Quinn, contains a 40% cut to the
Office of the Public Advocate, to $1.8 million from $2.9 million.
Historically, the mayor proposes cuts to the budget, and the Public
Advocate negotiates with the Council Speaker to restore it. This year,
despite an increase in the overall budget, and full or partial
restoration for every other elected official, the Public Advocate
received no restoration.
Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum commented on an audit she requested from the State Comptroller that finds the DOE Awarded $342 Million in No-Bid Contracts. Link to the video here.
Recently, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum appeared on CUNY TV's One to Onewith Sheryl McCarthy. In a wide ranging half-hour interview, Gotbaum reflected on her years in office, mayoral control of the New York City public schools, and her Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants. And she made a strong case for why the Public Advocate's office should have an independent budget.
View the three parts below:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
You can also watch the clips by clicking the YouTube links below: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Watch the video below, produced by the Teachers College Record, of Joseph Viteritti, Professor of Public Policy at Hunter College and Executive Director of the Commission on School Governance, talking about the state of Mayoral Control in New York City Public Schools.
Last week, Mayor Bloomberg announced that he is not obligated to extend Food Stamp benefits for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) unless they are enrolled in the Work Experience Program. This decision hurts hungry New Yorkers and keeps money out of the city. In response, Public Advocate Gotbaum - joined by Comptroller Bill Thompson, Councilman Bill de Blasio, and other elected officials and advocates - called on the Mayor to reverse his decision and accept millions of dollars of federal aid for hungry New Yorkers
Check out the Public Advocate's updated Guide to Banking in New York City - a nine-page, how-to guide on personal banking in NYC. The guide is intended to encourage New Yorkers to open bank accounts and increase their short and long-term savings, especially useful during the holiday season. Be sure to view the updated complete list of banking ratings, and watch the videoclip of the release of the original guide below:
