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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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...
a report outlining long-term consequences of the Administration's proposal to eliminate 6,000 teachers. These layoffs are the largest since the 1970s fiscal crisis and data from that period shows that massive layoffs have consequences that linger long af...
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.
Public Advocate de Blasio?s eight point plan proposes new State and City reforms that will make the DOE?s handling of co-locations more open and fair to all school communities, both charter and traditional. The Public Advocate?s plan includes case studies cataloging the DOE?s mismanagement of co-locations this year, which has led to increased conflicts between charter and traditional school communities.
issued in partnership with the Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending (CAPS), provides a first look at the rise in Super PACs and the corporate donors who support these groups.
Lessons from Tragedy reviews 75 child fatality reports issued by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in 2011 with the goal of identifying continuing risk factors and areas of focus to better protect children.
In order to determine how government services can best assist immigrant entrepreneurs, the Fund for Public Advocacy, in partnership with ACCION USA, surveyed 625 small business owners in all five boroughs. Nearly 80% of the survey respondents self-identified as foreign born. Through an analysis of current City services and the survey findings, this report illustrates how current practices are falling short in assisting and supporting immigrant owned businesses.
The report details the Office of the Public Advocate's successes combating landlord abuse, corporate influence in our elections and bureaucratic red tape, as well as efforts to give public school parents a greater voice and engage New Yorkers directly in...
On the eve of groundbreaking reforms to strengthen political disclosure in New York State, the Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending (CAPS) and New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio released a new report highlighting a dramatic rise in secret spending by out-of-state political groups. This report focuses on the evolving role of social welfare organizations, also known as 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations, in American elections.
A new report released today investigates New York City's upcoming overhaul of Special Education in public schools. ?Educating All Students Well? was commissioned by the Fund for Public Advocacy and researched the Department of Education?s preparations an...