a report cataloging the burdens on thousands of students with disabilities, their parents and taxpayers caused by poor planning at the Department of Education. The report shows that due to the Department?s missteps in what is known as the ?Turning Five? process, 2,500 students with disabilities and their families are being directed to utilize Non Public School (NPS) programs that cannot possibly accommodate a large influx of additional students.
According to a new report cuts to 20 fire companies in Mayor Bloomberg's Executive Budget will seriously imperil emergency response times. Eighteen of these companies will exceed a national 4-minute standard after cuts are implemented?some by over a ful...
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio today released a report detailing 933 complaints cataloged by his Office following the snow storm. The calls and emails detailed by the report point to a city in crisis, with New Yorkers unable to connect with operators at 311 and stranded beyond the reach of emergency services.
a comprehensive report analyzing the broad impact of U.S. Supreme Court?s Citizens United ruling in the 2010 election cycle. The report catalogs that the Court's decision led to significant secret spending this election cycle and that groups which kept ...
The Department of Homeless Services Advantage program is a City-funded subsidy program that assists many homeless New Yorkers in their transition from shelter to permanent and independent housing. In recent months, tenants enrolled in Advantage have contacted the Office of the Public Advocate to report being pressured by their landlords to pay additional rent, beyond what is required under the terms of the program.
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and the Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) today released a report that examines how the Department of Education (DOE) makes decisions regarding major changes in school buildings utilization. The report focuses on the DOE?s practice of having schools share building space, also known as co-locations and school closings procedures.
This brief prepared by the Public Advocate?s Office examines the New York City Housing Authority's December 2009 decision to revoke approximately 2,600 Section 8 vouchers.
a comprehensive review of over fifty studies on Wal-Mart?s economic impact across the country. The joint review of key research papers from the past seven years indicates that the opening of a Wal-Mart in New York City would likely eliminate more jobs than it creates, result in the loss of independently owned small businesses, and create an increased burden
The Office of the Public Advocate has dual roles in City government. The first is that of ombudsman, which means the office has a critical, charter-mandated constituent services function.The Public Advocate’s second key role in City government is that of a watchdog over city agencies.