The Weekly Watchdog
Happy Sunday! Welcome to the Weekly Watchdog. It’s a beautiful day out so make sure you get your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun. But first, we have to give you your weekly dose of what is what in good government reform. Enjoy!
News Worth Clicking
| Don’t mess with COIB Bill de Blasio must pay $330k to conflicts board for bogus security detail use Politico By Joe Anuta |
Ooph! Former Mayor Bill de Blasio admitted in a settlement this week that he ignored the Conflicts of Interest Board’s advice by forcing the City to pay for his security detail during his short-lived presidential campaign in 2019. De Blasio has to fork over $319,794 as a result, an amount we’re sure he probably would have preferred his presidential campaign pay nearly six years ago instead of him personally today. 🙃 |
| Hochul testing her luck? Lawmakers channel budget frustrations with Hochul into bipartisan constitutional amendment push NY1 By Jack Arpey |
It seems like the State Legislature is frustrated with how the Governor repeatedly handles the budget process every year. Almost half of New York’s state senators (at least) are signed on to a constitutional amendment to amend the Governor’s powers regarding the budget. This year, the budget was completed in the latest time in 15 years. |
| Hopeful turning point for Rikers Judge strips NYC of full authority over Rikers Island, citing ‘unprecedented’ violence AP News By Jake Offenhartz |
A judge will transfer control over parts of Rikers Island to a federal receiver, giving them power over key decisions, like hiring, use of staff, and disciplinary decisions for use of force. CU reluctantly called for such an appointment in 2023 and reiterated on Tuesday that, “after decades of failure by multiple mayoral administrations to enact meaningful reform, and in light of a continued deterioration in safety and oversight, federal intervention is the only path forward.” |
| Why not just choose a candidate? NY Times has approached NYC thought leaders to weigh in on mayoral race City & State By Sahalie Donaldson |
After announcing that it would not endorse a candidate for Mayor of New York City last year, the New York Times Editorial Board has decided to publish perspectives on the mayor’s race and its candidates from a select crop of community leaders. If you prefer such perspectives but with clear choices as to who to vote for, Citizens Union will be announcing its choices for the City’s most competitive offices in the coming weeks. |
| Prepare for the voting booth – Part ☝ Meet Your Mayor 2025 The CITY and Gothamist By Alyssa Katz, Mia Hollie, Sam Rabiyah, Richard Kim, Maia Hibbett, Patrick Leger, and Ben Fractenberg |
Still unsure on how to rank your ballot for Mayor in 37 days? The CITY has a quiz to help you decide based on your stances on the major issues affecting NYC. We encourage you to take it! You get to rank five candidates when you go into the voting booth, and you should use all five ranks. |
| Prepare for the voting booth – Part ✌ Who’s Running for City Comptroller — and What Is a Comptroller? The CITY By Katie Honan & Rachel Holliday Smith |
There are two things a voter should not be embarrassed about asking when voting in the City election primaries: what is a comptroller, and how do you pronounce comptroller? On the first question, check out the CITY‘s continued coverage in its latest election guide. On the second question, even we’re not sure. 🤷♀️ Is it con-troller or comp-troller? Do you really pronounce the -omp, or do you just say it fast enough and hope no one corrects you? |