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Posts tagged “For Residents”

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What Does the NYC Comptroller Actually Do?
New York City's independently elected chief financial officer audits every agency, manages five pension funds, and can block a contract the mayor wants signed.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 24, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsBudgets & SpendingAccountability
What Does New York City's Public Advocate Do?
A citywide office with no vote on the council it sits in, no department to run, and first place in line if the mayor's job opens up. Here's the actual job.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 22, 2026 · 3 min read
For ResidentsLocal GovernmentAccountability
What Are Constituent Services, and How to Use Yours
Constituent services are the unglamorous work behind a fixed pothole or an answered letter. Here's what the term covers, and how it works in New York City.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 14, 2026 · 3 min read
For ResidentsConstituent ServicesCity Council
Community Boards vs. Your City Council Member
One is elected and votes on laws and budgets. One is appointed and only advises. Here's what each actually decides in New York City, and who to call for what.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 12, 2026 · 3 min read
For ResidentsLocal GovernmentCity Council
What Does a Borough President Actually Do?
Not the mayor of a fifth of the city. Here's what New York's five borough presidents actually control now, after the Supreme Court took most of the job away.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 10, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsLocal GovernmentAccountability
How to Get Your Issue Onto a Community Board Agenda
A stop sign, a liquor license, a park in bad repair. Here's how New York City's 59 community boards actually decide what to hear, and how to get on the list.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 8, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsLocal GovernmentPublic Comment
How to Testify at a New York City Council Hearing
Register, pick the hearing, show up. The four ways to testify, why written testimony is the underused one, what the clock actually is, and what happens to your words once you have said them.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 3, 2026 · 5 min read
For ResidentsCity CouncilPublic Comment
How to Address a City Council Member
"Dear Council Member Rivera" is right almost everywhere. Here is how to get the form of address right in writing, in person, and at a meeting, and why it matters less than you think.
Tomer Rozenberg · August 1, 2026 · 5 min read
For ResidentsCity CouncilConstituent Services
How to Run for Local Office: A Beginner's Guide
Running for local office is more achievable than most people assume. Here's how the path works, from picking a seat to getting on the ballot.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 30, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsLocal GovernmentVoting & Ballots
Open Meetings Laws: Your Right to Watch Government
Open meetings laws give you the right to watch your government make decisions in public. Here's what they require, what they don't, and how to use them.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 29, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsOpen MeetingsTransparency
What Your Property Tax Bill Actually Pays For
Your property tax bill is one big number hiding a map of local priorities. Here's where the money usually goes, and where you actually get a say in it.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Budgets & SpendingLocal GovernmentFor Residents
Participatory Budgeting: When Residents Decide
A city handed residents real money and let them decide how to spend it. Participatory budgeting is one of the clearest examples of effective participation.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 26, 2026 · 4 min read
Budgets & SpendingLocal GovernmentFor Residents
How to Request Public Records: A FOIA/FOIL Guide
Most government records belong to you by law, free to request. Here's how to ask for them in plain language, and what to do when the answer comes back no.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 24, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsPublic RecordsTransparency
What Does a School Board Do, and Why It Matters
A school board controls one of the largest budgets in your town and hires the person who runs the schools. Here's what the job actually involves.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 22, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsSchool BoardsLocal Government
What Does a City Council Member Actually Do?
They write your local laws, control the city budget, and unstick your problems with city hall. Here's what a council member really does between elections.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 20, 2026 · 5 min read
For ResidentsCity CouncilLocal Government
How to Contact Your City Council Member
A stuck permit, a dangerous intersection, a question no agency will answer. Here's how to reach your council office and actually get a reply.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 18, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsCity CouncilConstituent Services
What Happens at a City Council Meeting, Start to Finish
A council meeting looks like a wall of procedure in a private language. Here's what actually happens, in order, and the one moment reserved for you.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 12, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsCity CouncilPublic Comment
Zoning, Explained: How It Shapes Your Rent
Zoning is the dullest item on the agenda and one of the most powerful. It quietly decides what gets built, who can live where, and what you pay.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Zoning & HousingLocal GovernmentFor Residents
What Does a Mayor Actually Do?
The mayor is the face of city hall, but the job varies wildly by city. Here's what a mayor actually controls, and what the council holds instead.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 6, 2026 · 4 min read
For ResidentsLocal GovernmentAccountability
Your 10,000 Twitter Mentions Are Worthless
A council member with a vote next week gets 10,000 online mentions and 80 verified responses from inside the district. The instinct to trust the bigger number is the whole problem.
Tomer Rozenberg · June 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Civic GapDemocracy ReformFor Residents

Posts tagged “For Residents”

What Does the NYC Comptroller Actually Do?

What Does New York City's Public Advocate Do?

What Are Constituent Services, and How to Use Yours

Community Boards vs. Your City Council Member

What Does a Borough President Actually Do?

How to Get Your Issue Onto a Community Board Agenda

How to Testify at a New York City Council Hearing

How to Address a City Council Member

How to Run for Local Office: A Beginner's Guide

Open Meetings Laws: Your Right to Watch Government

What Your Property Tax Bill Actually Pays For

Participatory Budgeting: When Residents Decide

How to Request Public Records: A FOIA/FOIL Guide

What Does a School Board Do, and Why It Matters

What Does a City Council Member Actually Do?

How to Contact Your City Council Member

What Happens at a City Council Meeting, Start to Finish

Zoning, Explained: How It Shapes Your Rent

What Does a Mayor Actually Do?

Your 10,000 Twitter Mentions Are Worthless