The Weekly Watchdog
Good afternoon! Happy Friday. Welcome to the Watchdog. We’ve got a lot on our plate today, including our positions on the ballot questions, drama in the world of good government nonprofits, and what it may mean for our local democracy if Mayor Adams drops out of the race. Enjoy!
News Worth Clicking
| ICYMI Citizens Union Announces Support for All 2025 Ballot Questions Citizens Union |
Yours truly announced our positions on the ballot questions for the 2025 general election, and we’re telling you to vote yes on all. We are especially proud of question six: a proposal to move our local elections to presidential election years to boost voter turnout. We’ve spearheaded the even year election reform for three years now and are big believers in its power to strengthen democracy. As for the housing questions — they will give the city more tools and pathways to address our housing crisis, which is desperately needed. Our position on the questions was covered in Tuesday morning’s Playbook. |
| Misusing Taxpayer Dollars Council crusade against housing reforms tests ban on political campaigning Crain’s By Nick Garber |
As the vote on these ballot proposals approaches, expect to be targeted with campaigns. The City Council is running one against the housing questions, complete with a website and leaflets warning that a “yes” vote will “take away your power”(!). Elected officials are barred from using government resources for electioneering, but the Council is exploiting a legal loophole: they avoid explicitly saying “vote no.” We told Crain’s this campaign clearly violates the spirit of the law – and not for the first time. We raised the alarm about this same tactic last year. So is the Council electioneering or not? Visit their website and judge for yourself. |
| Lighting 💵 on 🔥 or legal bribery? Eric Adams’ Longshot Reelection Bid Is Still Scoring Support From These Megadonors The CITY By Greg Smith |
Despite Mayor Eric Adams’ longshot odds at reelection, many deep-pocketed donors are still giving super PACs supporting his efforts hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why, do you ask? Could it have anything to do with the major business in front of City Hall they hope to see wrapped up with a bow on top before Adams departs as mayor? Can they get it all done in time? Does Adams even care since he likely won’t win reelection? We’re not sure, but we are keeping a close eye on the money. 💰 |
| Tisch allows prosecution of officers NYPD commissioner serves charges on officers who fatally shot 19-year-old Win Rozario Gothamist By Charles Lane |
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has initiated misconduct charges against the two NYPD officers involved in the controversial shooting and death of Win Rozario in 2024, signaling she will not stand in the way of prosecution efforts against the officers. Tisch started her tenure as Commissioner almost a year ago by implementing accountability reforms, but in a separate recent misconduct case, sided with officers. She continues to walk a tricky tightrope, having to defend her officers where she deems appropriate while also assuring the public that officers cannot get away with misconduct, as often happened under her predecessors. |
| Drama in goo-goo land The Limits of Political Neutrality in a Divided Nation The New York Times By Laurel Rosenhall |
National good government groups like Common Cause and the League of Women Voters have long records of fighting gerrymandering, but in the era of Trump their stance is evolving. With a mid-decade redistricting fight taking place in states across the country right now, including here in New York, Common Cause and the League initially denounced Gov. Gavin Newsom of California’s plan to redraw maps to benefit Democrats. But after some internal soul-searching, they reversed course and went neutral on the proposal. |
| Car chase! Vanishing Mercedes Spurs More Charges in Alleged Shelter Bribery Scheme The CITY By Greg Smith |
In an ongoing bribery case where a non-profit executive is accused of helping funnel a government contract to a hotelier in exchange for $2.2 million, including a $107,000 Mercedes, prosecutors added an obstruction of justice charge after the two subjects tried to get rid of the car once they learned the feds were investigating them. A reminder to anyone thinking of bribing a government official or influential person, if the feds come knocking, you’ve already been caught. 🤷♂️ |
| Commentary How a Mayor Mamdani can fix the NYPD’s oversight Daily News By Fred Davie |
Former Civilian Complaint Review Board Chair Fred Davie has a series of police accountability suggestions for Zohran Mamdani, should the Democratic nominee win the general election this fall. They include codifying the NYPD’s guidelines for misconduct and infractions, increasing the CCRB’s power to determine discipline for misconduct, and forcing vacant CCRB seats to be filled in less than 90 days. Important proposals at the right time. |
| Listening time! 🎧 What Happens If Adams Resigns Vital City By Jamie Rubin |
We’ve talked a lot about Mayor Adams potentially dropping out of the mayor’s race in exchange for a job to boost Cuomo’s odds of winning, and our Executive Director Grace Rauh joined Jamie Rubin on his podcast to talk about the implications, should such a move occur. Spoiler alert: this whole effort to get Adams out of the race is not good for democracy. |