"The speaker should not sully further the past four years by jamming through some changes...What this Council and this speaker can, and should, do is pass a worthy transparency improvement to how the city handles Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests for public records."

The Broadway tax credit was meant as COVID relief. Now it’s a $3M-per-show subsidy draining state funds—even while Broadway thrives. ESD's deadline extension hints more giveaways may come. Check out Subsidy Sheet: buff.ly/hATzTsG

Watchdog to NYC Conflicts of Interest Board: Yes to Stronger Travel Disclosures🛫 , No to Weakening Fundraising Transparency💰 Read our public comments here:

18 Groups and Unions to Gov Hochul: Sign Bill Defending NY’s Landmark LLC Transparency Act (LLCTA) from Trump Administration. It protects NY’s LLCTA from being undermined by the weakening of the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) buff.ly/QuXrWap

State and local officials in AZ and MI have proposed bills to reduce the epidemic of NDAs keeping residents from knowing how their tax money is being spent. NY should pass similar legislation to rein in billions in secretive deals paid by taxpayers. Read it here: buff.ly/iaQROnk

Our groups @citizensunionny.bsky.social @commoncauseny.bsky.social @freedom.press @legalaidnyc.bsky.social @lwvnyc.bsky.social @nyclu.org @nypirg.bsky.social @stopspyingny.bsky.social urge City Council to pass @galeabrewer.bsky.social landmark NYC FOIL bill buff.ly/ocwTgBk

Check out our new report with @goodjobsfirst.org: New York IDAs’ Reckless Assault on Public School Funding More harm to NY schools from industrial development agencies’ property tax breaks multiplied by flawed tax cap law buff.ly/uGNkmxX

NEW: We joined @reinventalbany.bsky.social any & ABNY, urging BOE NYC to approve certified ballot questions. Election commissioners lack authority to reject them based on their substance—doing so would set a dangerous precedent, disrupt elections, and harm voters citizensunion.org/wp-content/u...

With Historically Devastating Federal Cuts Looming, NY Taxpayers on Pace to Shell Out Nearly a Billion to Hollywood Producers in 2025 New data reveals Q1 2025 payout of $230M; $65K in subsidies per full-time film/TV job Our analysis:

Top National Expert on NY’s $11B in Corporate Subsidies: "Forget the Mega-Deals." Greg LeRoy of @goodjobsfirst.org says to focus on spending taxpayer 💰 only on things that provide a bigger public bang for the buck Check it out: buff.ly/wzZoQa6

🔌 This week in Subsidy Sheet: Gov. Hochul is scaling back programs that help working class New Yorkers reduce electricity use, while increasing state-subsidized power to big data Read it here ⤵️

We reissued this memo of support for the FOIL Timing bill, the most significant improvement to FOIL passed by the Legislature in years. It reduces the time the public must wait to appeal FOIL delays and denials. @commoncauseny.bsky.social @nypirg.bsky.social @freedom.press @lwvny.bsky.social

We sent comments to NYC HRA calling on them to make the Fair Fares program truly fair for NYers by increasing the elibility threshold to 200% of the federal poverty level -- what most other cities are already doing, per @pcac.org Read it here

U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III has repeatedly abused his office, including by retaliating against newspapers. We, along with @reinventalbany.bsky.social and @demandprogress.bsky.social, filed an ethics complaint, calling on him to be investigated. www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

“To the rest of the world, the American campaign finance system, including New York’s, looks like legal bribery – and it is,” said John Kaehny, executive directly of @reinventalbany.bsky.social , a government watchdog group.

Opportunity Zones were supposed to help rural areas, but research shows investors chase urban luxury housing instead. Because NYS hasn't decoupled from OZs, only a few years remain before we start paying for luxury housing out of state. Read about it in this week's Subsidy Sheet: buff.ly/W5aRGcY

This week in Subsidy Sheet: Micron may get billions in NY and federal subsidies for a chip plant that hasn't been built yet. Meanwhile, per the @nycibo.bsky.social, NYC lost $2.4b to ICAP, a tax break that also likely worsens the housing crisis. Read about it here: buff.ly/v6zW0I0

NEW Statement on Mid-Cycle Redistricting Proposal: NY’s Motto Is “Ever Upwards,” Not “Let’s Race Texas to the Bottom and See Who Can Disenfranchise More Voters.” New York is not going to save American democracy through extreme gerrymandering. Full statement: buff.ly/j2CKqFQ

This week's Subsidy Sheet highlights the five ways that corporate/economic development subsidies fuel racial inequality, by @goodjobsfirst.org Greg LeRoy in @npquarterly.bsky.social Read it here:

Gov. is backing away from clean energy targets and slashing programs to help NYers save on electric bills. Cheap power aplenty for data centers and chip plants! And: 🎬 Film Subsidies 2025: First One to the Bottom Wins! 🎭 Broadway’s $400M tax credit fund is tapped out Read it: buff.ly/qxJ9Zkt

We submitted testimony to the Conflicts of Interest Board on their proposed regs for clean contracting disclosures. We support the intent, and offer recommendations to further strengthen reporting given past scandals and irregular procurements. Check it out: reinventalbany.org/2025/07/test...

New analysis: Shrinking NYC Anti-Corruption Agencies Need Independent Budgeting FY26 Budget Again Provides No Inflation Increase, Risking Future Staffing Cuts Council Charter Commission must ask voters to approve independent budgeting for DOI, COIB. buff.ly/NWWwlwi

We and three groups asked the Governor to clarify changes made to public campaign finance in the budget. Read it: buff.ly/ZsyrI8C

Trump's budget bill is packed with giveaways: 🤑 84% of OZ funds went to top 10% of projects ✂️Medicaid cuts threaten NY’s budget ❌ $30M Syracuse grant canceled 🛩️ Massive subsidies for private jet owners And (sadly) more. Read about it here: buff.ly/04PliJR

Trump's Opportunity Zone tax break is now permanent. The Governor and Assembly can follow the State Senate's lead and end NY's OZ tax break, or subsidize out-of-state luxury housing – forever. Our statement: buff.ly/FUDMZxS

Here's our testimony for tonight's Charter Revision Commission hearing. Ranked Choice Voting works – let's use it fully! buff.ly/0KOHUBU

This week in Subsidy Sheet: 🔢 NJ city data shows subsidies aren't helping locals 🟥 Red ink likely for proposed Niagara stadium 🤯 Nukes Read it: buff.ly/dSOxlEI

Today the Council heard my bill, Int. 1235, to bring transparency and reform to NYC’s FOIL process. New Yorkers deserve timely access to public records without waiting months or years. @ReinventAlbany @NYCLU @LegalAidNYC Read below! council.nyc.gov/gale-brewer/...

This week in Subsidy Sheet: 🏢 Albany County seeks $54m expansion of already-heavily-subsidized convention center ☢️ How much will new upstate nuke plant add to NYS’s $7b subsidy for its old ones? Check it out: buff.ly/tGlPJqH

Today we testify to NYC Council in support of @galeabrewer.bsky.social 's bill to codify and expand the NYC OpenRecords portal, the public's current tool to submit and track Freedom of Information Law requests. Check out how the bill would improve NYC FOIL responses: buff.ly/vD20bg2

NEW: We joined @cmbrookspowers.bsky.social along with 17 @council.nyc.gov members and groups including @cssnyorg.bsky.social, @ridersalliance.org, @rpa.org, & @reinventalbany.bsky.social in calling on Mayor Adams to expand Fair Fares to 200% of FPL and the railroads in NYC. pcac.org/fair-fares-c...

NEW: 13 groups support @galeabrewer.bsky.social bill to improve NYC FOIL responses, better hold agencies accountable Thanks to partners @legalaidnyc.bsky.social @stopspyingny.bsky.social @beta.nyc @earthjustice.org @nyclu.org @citizensunionny.bsky.social + more!

We will testify tonight again to the Mayor's Charter Revision Commission about how Top 4 makes the best use of Ranked Choice Voting -- particularly given that past mayor's races in New York City have had ~9 candidates in the primary. See more here: buff.ly/rMTRTDM

We sent written testimony for tonight's Council charter revision hearing, asking the Commission to: ✅ Further strengthen oversight agencies ✅ Put mayoral removal before the voters ❌ Not allow ballot proposals in low-turnout special elections Read it: buff.ly/2HMPoPY

This week in Subsidy Sheet: 🤑 Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" looks to overhaul Opportunity Zones, still looks to be more of the same money transfer to the rich 🛣️ Road upgrades to help Micron's development estimated to cost $375 million Read it: buff.ly/wypf9CW

We appreciate the NYS Legislature passed five of our priority FOIL, anti-corruption, and voting bills. At the same time, we're also disappointed that the Legislature has yet again failed to end wasteful corporate subsidies. Our statement: buff.ly/P1mM69M

We thank @nyassemblymajority.bsky.social for passing S2520-B (Skoufis) / A3425-A (Raga) – and for leading the way on FOIL in 2025 by passing 3 out of 4 priority bills. Our statement: buff.ly/RPWSwN7

"The FOIL Timeline Act establishes new strict deadlines for the amount of time government agencies can take to respond to most FOIL requests ... The Assembly should join the Senate in passing this vital piece of pro-citizen legislation before the Legislature adjourns this week." buff.ly/cqaiIyT

ICYMI - A3425 by @stevenraga.bsky.social would substantially improve FOIL response times, including for NYC agencies with FOIL requests as old as 9 (!) years. NYers shouldn't have to wait years to obtain public records from state and local governments. Let's go, @nyassemblymajority.bsky.social!

Cheers to the Assembly for notable work this session passing bills strengthening FOIL. We urge Speaker Heastie to keep up the momentum and join the Senate in passing six common-sense bills strengthening transparency and reducing corporate handouts. buff.ly/aiY1jNB

This week in Subsidy Sheet: 🏙️📄 OZ report 🍕🦹‍♂️ Pizza thief 📦💰 Amazon handouts Read it: buff.ly/oAmXxaR

For today's City Council hearing on the Department of Investigation, we asked the Council to restore DOI's staffing and funding. We also support the Council's Charter Commission proposals to increase DOI independence. Read the full testimony here: buff.ly/O3M4hqr

[email protected] and @nyassemblymajority.bsky.social: Please pass A3425-A/S2520-B, which just passed the Senate, to improve FOIL response times. The 2025 Assembly has led on FOIL, and we’re asking you to bring this crucial transparency bill across the finish line. buff.ly/Sh3XOuP

A scathing new report from the NYU Furman Center shows that OZs mainly subsidize luxury housing, and do nothing for those in need. @nyassemblymajority.bsky.social must follow the Senate's lead and pass S3340 (Gianaris) / A3246 (Dinowitz). buff.ly/Ks8XcFs

Our testimony to Mayoral Charter: New Data on Age, Race, Sex of NYC Unaffiliated Voters. Plus, our recs for four options to improve voter turnout and empower unaffiliated voters: buff.ly/I5dLWlB

Editorial Boards to NY Senate: Pass the Transparency Bills! See our list of editorials from @nydailynews.com‬ ‪ @buffalonews.com‬ @dgazette.bsky.social‬ calling on the Legislature to pass bills to show they want a Freedom of Information Law that actually works: buff.ly/KWx5atP

NY Daily News nails it on the need for both houses to pass FOIL reformss: "But, as we all know, passage by only one chamber isn’t enough. Both partners are required for the reform dance and it’s too often the case that one side will duck out." www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/11/p...

There are only a few days left in session – the NY Legislature must pass these key transparency and accountability bills. Our statement: buff.ly/ia0KkMN

Great op-ed by @stopspyingny.bsky.social‬'s Alicia Abramson on one our of priority FOIL bills to reduce the time agencies can take responding to records requests: "The FOIL Timeline Act would transform FOIL from a black hole into a meaningful tool for public accountability." buff.ly/ohjDbt3

Sharing @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social‬ Center for Urban Research Director John Mollenkopf’s new estimate of the party affiliation of New York City voters. Data shows NYC’s younger voters and men of all groups are most likely to be unaffiliated. Check out the data here: buff.ly/LB1eccf