Public Advocate's Corner

Gotbaum Bill Would Protect New York City's Watchdog Agencies

MANHATTAN—In an effort to strengthen and protect the independent watchdog agencies in New Yor government, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum introduced legislation that would establish fixed-minimum budgets for the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA), the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB), and the Civilian Complaints Review Board (CCRB).

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, “When my budget was cut 40% this year – over six times the cut sustained by any other elected official – it confirmed my belief that the city’s budgeting process is deeply flawed. With great power to set my budget, the Mayor and Speaker were able to strike back at an office that was critical of their actions.

“If it can happen to the public advocate, it can happen to any other independent oversight agency. The bill I’m proposing will shield these agencies from political retribution or self-interest; and it will provide security for our most essential checks on city government. “

Read the Full Release

Happy Birthday, Citymeals-on-Wheels

(Above: Gotbaum with Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, commissioner for the Department for the Aging, and Joyce Bove of NY Community Trust)

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum attended the 23rd Annual Power Lunch for Women, hosted by Citymeals-on-Wheels. The event benefits the Citymeals program, which funds "30 community-based agencies that bring weekend, holiday and emergency meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers who can no longer shop or cook for themselves." This year's lunch honors Joan Weill, and Citymeals Vice Chair Joan Tisch.

Gotbaum's Final Annual Report Reflects on Two Terms of Accomplishments

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released her office’s 2009 annual report. In order to cope with a 40% budget cut sustained this year, the Office decided not to print and mail copies of the report. Instead, the annual report will be eco-friendly, available online and distributed through e-mail. Printed copies will be available to those without internet access upon request.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, “Improving access to city services has been the unifying theme of my tenure. During my two terms in office, my ombudsman unit alone has fielded calls from more than 90,000 New Yorkers, solving problems and advocating for some of  the city's most vulnerable -- its immigrants, its working poor, its special ed students, its women in need. I've introduced or co-sponsored more than 300 bills before the City Council. And my policy staff has conducted studies and investigations that led to lasting change. Over the last eight years, the Office of the Public Advocate helped improve the lives of New Yorkers. We identified needs. We offered solutions. And we got results.”

Read the Report

Paid Sick Leave Comes to the Floor

   

At noon today, Public Advocate Gotbaum stood with Councilmember Gale Brewer, Borough President Scott Stringer, Gloria Steinem, and hundreds of advocates to voice support for a bill that will require paid sick days for workers to care for themselves or a loved one. With H1N1 flu cases on the rise, action is needed to ensure that workers can stay home sick without losing pay--limiting the spread of flu in the workplace.

It's the latest in a series of demonstrations made by Gotbaum and supporters of the bill.

Stripping the Stupak Amendment

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, activist Gloria Steinem, and other distinguished women leaders to protest the Stupak amendment to the House health reform bill. Gotbaum spoke out against the amendment last week, and today she reiterated her criticism and voiced a call to action:

Last weekend, congressional leaders and representatives voted for a bill that would regulate the insurance companies, give health insurance to 36 million Americans, and create an affordable public insurance option for Americans without coverage.

But because of one amendment attached to the bill, they had to compromise while casting this historic vote. The Stupak amendment is a gross insult to women, advocates for choice, and voters who have supported these representatives year after year.

30 Years of Fighting Hunger

Last night, the West Side Campaign Against Hunger honored Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum at its 30th Anniversary Dinner. Gotbaum said:

The West  Side Campaign Against Hunger does so much more than just provide food to those who need it. Your cooking and wellness programs, and the counseling you do to promote self-reliance, goes a long way toward preserving your clients' dignity. It's a great example of providing a hand up rather than a hand out.

Early in my first term as Public Advocate, it became clear that far too many New Yorkers were having trouble putting food on their family’s table. I’m proud to have advocated for common-sense reforms that try to end what's now called "food insecurity." 

Pass Health Reform, But Not Like This

On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed a landmark health care reform bill, 220-215, shifting focus to the Senate. If not for one amendment, such news would call for celebration. Unfortunately, the bill includes an amendment that would set strict, unprecedented restrictions on coverage for abortions under insurance subsidized by the federal government—affecting millions of American women who purchase plans that cover abortions. As a fierce advocate for women’s issues and a defender of a woman’s right to choose, I strongly condemn this amendment and urge the Senate to pass a bill without it.

New Yorkers, I encourage you to contact your senators and representatives, and ask that they demand a health care bill which protects a woman’s right to choose.

 

Keep Fighting For Marriage Equality

Now that the State Senate has decided not to take up a marriage equality bill today, I urge Senate Democrats to continue fighting for those final votes in the days ahead. I commend Senators Duane, Schneiderman and others working to make New York the next state to ensure marriage equality for its residents. They deserve encouragement and support from all New Yorkers who value equal rights.

In the wake of last week’s disappointing vote in Maine, it is all the more crucial that New York continue to move the country forward on marriage equality. I am confident that it will.

 

 

The Budget and the Next Public Advocate

Uninformed sources have alleged that I did nothing to restrain spending in the wake of a devastating 40% budget cut to my office. This is demonstrably false. 

The day Speaker Quinn approved this cut, I laid out several ways in which we could perform our charter-mandated functions while saving as much money as possible for the next public advocate. It was obvious, to me and to everyone who protested the cut – advocates, elected officials, and good-government groups – that there would be little money left over unless I fired most of my staff. I refused to do that. 

However, I did decide not to replace departing staff members; we have lost almost 25% of staff through attrition. I have also decided to send my mandated annual report electronically, rather than in print. And I have funded all office initiatives, including my Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants, with privately raised money.

Additionally, with the term ending, city rules require that we pay out $190,000 in unused annual leave to staff members, which has been accrued and carried over throughout their employment. This figure does not include money paid out to staff already departed.

It’s worth noting that $1.7 million is a meager, insufficient, and disproportionately small budget for a citywide office charged with overseeing city agencies and assisting New Yorkers in need. The budget should be increased, and not set at the whims of the Mayor and Speaker. However, in this difficult situation, my office has made significant sacrifices—-for the next public advocate and for the people of New York City.