Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum

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Guide to Public Benefits
If you are a New York City Immigrant, looking for a comprehensive guide to public benefits in the city, click here. The guide is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Bengali and Chinese.

On the Public Advocate's Corner

Good government groups joined Public Advocate Gotbaum to denounce the disportionate 40% cut to the Office of the Public Advocate, New York City's watchdog, calling it 'bad governance' and vowing to fight for its restoration.

PA Gotbaum: Report Shows City Schools Not Fully Prepared for Emergencies

A new report released today by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum finds that New York City public schools fall short of complying with the requirements of a state law designed to prevent chaos, injury, or loss of life in the event of an emergency. The Public Advocate makes several recommendations for improving emergency preparedness in schools and, in light of recent events, also recommends measures that will mitigate the effects of health-related emergencies, including pandemic flu. Read More.

Gotbaum, Joined by PA Candidates, Denounces Massive Budget Cut to Public Advocate’s Office

Today, Public Advocate Gotbaum stood 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. Read More.

PA Gotbaum Calls on Parks Department to Replace Artificial Turf Fields Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum visited McCarren Park in Brooklyn to call for the creation of a replacement schedule for artificial turf made from recycled tires. The city has agreed to a moratorium on the installation of this type of turf, but potential health risks remain in the 89 existing turf fields throughout New York City. Read More

PA Gotbaum: State Comptroller's Audit Finds DOE Awarded $342 Million in No-Bid Contracts; Doesn't Follow Its Own Contract Rules

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released an audit that reveals the Department of Education awarded a staggering $342 million in no-bid contracts over a three year period. The audit, which I requested, also revealed that the DOE does not follow its own rules pertaining to contracts. On my blog, you can view a videocast in which I discuss the audit in more detail. Read More.

Guide to Public Benefits If you are a New York City Immigrant, looking for a comprehensive guide to public benefits in the city, click here. The guide is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Bengali and Chinese.

Guide to Public Benefits
If you are a New York City Immigrant, looking for a comprehensive guide to public benefits in the city, click here. The guide is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Bengali and Chinese.