The Weekly Watchdog

Happy fourth of July! As you wait for your hot dogs, burgers, or tofu on the grill (how long does it take, anyway?), here’s your quick recap of this week’s biggest news on ethics, democracy, and policy in New York City. Backroom deals, whistleblowers, big money, and loyal donors await you below:

News Worth Clicking

The Real Winner New Yorkers Embraced Ranked-Choice Voting. Mamdani’s Win Proves It. The New York Times by Jeffery Mays and Emma Fitzsimmons	When ranked-choice voting was first implemented, critics worried about voter confusion. Where are those naysayers now? This Times article highlights how New Yorkers embraced the new system, citing an exit poll from our friends at Common Cause and FairVote, where 81% of voters said they understood Ranked Choice Voting “extremely” or “very” well—and three-fourths said they want to keep or expand it. Ranked-choice voting is here to stay.
It’s OK – they looked into it! Office Lease Deal With Adams Donor Moves Ahead After Review City Hall Won’t Release The CITY by Greg Smith	You probably remember the City Hall office lease saga. But just in case, here’s a refresher: Jesse Hamilton, the Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services who was tapped by Mayor Adams to handle city leases, intervened to relocate the Department of the Aging to 14 Wall Street, a building owned by an Adams donor. This prompted a Department of Investigation inquiry, FBI phone seizures, and a contract pause by then-First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer to allow the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management to review the matter. Months later, the CITY now reports this internal investigation is complete. The details remain confidential, but the outcome is becoming public: the Department for the Aging will indeed move to the Mayor’s donor-owned 14 Wall Street property. Makes total sense to us!
Delusional or a Delayed Return Investment She Spent Nearly $600,000 on Her Council Race and Lost. Was It Worth It? – The New York Times By Ginia Bellafante	In a fight for a lower Manhattan seat on the City Council, Elizabeth Lewinsohn spent nearly $600,000 financing her campaign. She lost the election, by 20 points, to incumbent Chris Marte, whom she outspent by nearly $400,000. Lewinsohn saw the voluntary spending caps by the City’s public financing system as a constraint that cost her the election. But as this piece explores, it might just be that big money alone can’t buy elections anymore.
You betcha it may Electing NYC mayor and U.S. president in the same year? It may be on the ballot this Nov. Gothamist by Brigid Bergin	We’re getting closer to a November referendum, and it could include election reforms. The Charter Revision Commission announced this week it plans to place a ballot question asking voters whether the city should move its current primary and general election for municipal offices to even-numbered years, which see significantly higher voter turnout than odd years. It also released a report from former U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch that underscores the benefits of even-year elections and open primaries for NYC’s minority voters. Want to weigh in on the election reforms under consideration? Come join us at the Charter Commission’s final public hearing on Monday.
For Whom the Whistle Blows City Government Whistleblowers Grow Scant, With Most Denied Protection The CITY By Greg Smith	Fewer and fewer City employees are complaining that they faced retaliation for reporting corruption to law enforcement. Does that mean everything is peachy in City government? We don’t think so. The case of Ricardo Morales, a deputy commissioner who was fired for exposing evidence of backroom real estate deals to the Department of Investigation, the FBI, and Manhattan federal prosecutors reveals a different story. Morales, like 97% of whistleblowers, was denied whistleblower protection after complaining about retaliation. Is it possible that City employees who suspect possible corruption are keeping quiet instead? City Council Member Gale Brewer raised these issues in a crucial oversight hearing.
A unanimous budget NYC Council passes $116B budget amid potential hits from Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ New York Daily New By Josephine Stratman	The City Council approved this year’s record-breaking budget with a unanimous vote. While the Mayor and City Council Speaker both praised the deal, fiscal watchdogs were left to sound an alarm. With Trump’s massive spending and tax bill approved in the same week, it won’t be long before the City’s finances may be turned upside down. For now, though, City Hall is celebrating.
How Reform Works Opinion \| New York’s Primary and the Power of Better Elections Vital City Grace Rauh	How did the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary become one of the most exciting races in decades? In a new opinion piece, Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh credits the power of election reforms that helped energize Zohran Mamdani’s campaign—and fueled a dynamic election overall. Ranked Choice Voting, a strong public matching funds program, early voting: you’ll find all of Citizens Union’s greatest hits. But is that enough? What more can we do to ensure more fair and open elections in the future? You’ll have to click the link to find out, but we’ll give you a hint: open primaries and even year elections.