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

Stand for Freedom in Iran!

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum stood with elected officials, religious leaders, human rights activists, and thousands of attendees at the Stand for Freedom in Iran rally, protesting the UN visit of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Public Advocate Gotbaum said:

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to all the different groups standing today in solidarity with Iranian-Americans and Iranian citizens who disputed the results of June’s elections. I would like to thank all the speakers – in particular Governor David Paterson, Comptroller Tom Di Napoli, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, as well as the Iranian womens’ rights activists – for their powerful words. 

Throughout my career I have stood for women’s rights and always sought to represent the women who had no voice. The participation of women in the political process is one of the causes of my life.When I witnessed the video of Neda Soltan’s murder, I was heartbroken. Neda’s crime was to attend a rally in support of freedom, like so many other women – and men – in the weeks after Iran’s elections.

Debunking the Healthcare Myths

Today on The Huffington Post, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum comments on President Obama's address to Congress and takes aim at critics of reform:

Last night in his address to Congress, President Obama made a clear and convincing case for reforming our broken healthcare system. He laid out a plan that would protect those who have insurance and provide tax credits for those who don’t. And he pledged to cut spending and raise taxes on expensive plans in order to pay for it.

President Obama also addressed the scenes in recent town hall-style forums across the country, where representatives and senators have tried to discuss plans for healthcare reform. Often, these events have turned into shouting matches—a chance for citizens who oppose the President to berate their elected representatives, often invoking the specters of ‘rationing’ and government ‘death panels’ to bolster their case.

Read the rest: "Now is the Time to Deliver"

Councilmember de Blasio's Name Must be Restored to Ballot

You know there is something wrong with the election system when a candidate collects 117,500 signatures more than are required but gets kicked off the ballot because of a typo. I am confident that Councilmember de Blasio will have his name restored, but in the meantime, this ridiculous situation is costing the city time and money.  It's time that the legislature took a serious look at reforming some of the archaic and absurd election laws in New York. The process should ensure that voters are given more choices, not fewer.

"Attractive"? Yeah, right.

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum seized upon Mayor Bloomberg's comments last week that his administration's failure to reduce homelessness could be explained by the fact that city homeless shelters are "a lot more attractive" to families. She was joined at a press conference by Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., Joel Berg, Executive Director of NYCCAH, and Sophia Bryant of Picture the Homeless. Gotbaum said:

“It is clear from the Mayor’s comments that he is totally out of touch with the city’s homeless population and the experience of living in these shelters. It’s absurd that he would think anyone would choose to live in a homeless shelter over permanent housing. Because the administration doesn’t understand the problems facing homeless New Yorkers, its policies fail to present real solutions. Policies should be reevaluated to respond to the worsening economy, the scarcity of jobs and affordable housing, and the reality that recent strategies have not been working.”

Read the full release

View a videocast of today's event below, or on YouTube:

Finally, Good News from Albany

After weeks of bad news coming out of Albany, I am pleased and relieved to learn that Richard Ravitch, my friend, will assume the role of lieutenant governor. I congratulate Mr. Ravitch on his appointment, and I applaud Governor Paterson for his wise and reassuring decision. Mr. Ravitch, an effective and proven leader, is the best choice for New Yorkers, and he will bring legitimacy and insurance to the current state of affairs in Albany.        

(Photo credit: NY Times)

Public Advocate Gotbaum's Statement on Swine Flu in New York City

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, "The city is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions. At this time, according to the Department of Health, there is no citywide increase in flu-like illness, and the city is working closely with healthcare professionals to track reported incidents. I want to reiterate the Health Department's call for increased vigilance. New Yorkers should wash their hands frequently with soap, cover their mouths when coughing, and stay home from school or work if feeling ill to limit contact with others. New Yorkers who are concerned or have specific questions can call the state Department of Health 24-hour hotline at 1-800-808-1987."

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Yesterday, Betsy Gotbaum spoke at a press conference hosted by NY State Comptroller DiNapoli about the state Common Retirement Fund investment in Northern Ireland.

The Public Advocate visited Belfast last May, and met with leaders last winter, after the NYC Pension funds announced an unprecedented investment in Northern Ireland. 

Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "I was very happy to see the immediate statements released by First Minister Peter Robinson and First Deputy Minister Martin McGuiness, following the recent violence in Northern Ireland. After reading the unified denouncement of violence and the call for continued peace I was very proud to say I know them both.

Because of this, I think there is no better time to reaffirm our commitment to investing in Northern Ireland and support peace there. Comptroller DiNapoli's announcement today sends a clear message to any groups that might try to derail this hard-earned peace: Promoting peace in Northern Ireland is not only the right thing to do, but it results in economic benefits for everyone, stabilizes the nation, and provides an excellent investment environment.  Northern Ireland will never again return to the era of violence and economic despair for its residents.

Pictured: Betsy Gotbaum in Northern Ireland last year.

Reforming School Governance; Expanding Sex Education

Today, I spoke at two rallies about causes that are deeply important to me. At the New York Immigration Coalition's Annual City Advocacy Day, I called for reforming school governance in New York City, which concentrates too much power in the hands of the Mayor and Chancellor.

As I recently testified, our system needs more checks and balances, transparency, and public participation. We need to keep the pressure on Albany to make sure lawmakers enact these changes.

Later, I spoke at the GMHC's National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. According to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 1 in 3 New Yorkers living with HIV is a woman; and 94% of new HIV infections in teenage girls in New York City are among Blacks and Hispanics.

In 2007, I sent a letter to Chancellor Klein, asking him to do more to encourage comprehensive sex education in city high schools. We have to make sure our teenage girls (and boys) have the knowledge to make informed, healthy decisions--and to stop the spread of HIV and other dangerous STD's.

Fighting for Food Stamp Benefits

On Saturday, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum stood with elected officials and advocates to call on Governor Paterson to accept a statewide provision in the federal recovery bill that would extend Food Stamp benefits for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) through September 30, 2010. Read more about this provision.

New York City had previously been eligible for a waiver to extend the time limits, and despite the urging of the Public Advocate and other elected officials and hunger advocates, Mayor Bloomberg has never accepted the ABAWD waiver.

Today, Betsy blogs on the Huffington Post about the need for the Mayor to accept this provision without conditions.

What do you think? Post your thoughts on the Mayor's actions below.