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What’s New in NYC Civic Tech – July 10, 2025

Gabby Langston

As an Eagle Scout, a parent, and someone who deeply believes in collective action, the last few days have been heavy. Headlines and radio stories have brought wave after wave of grief. I know what it is like to care for a child in crisis, unsure of what tomorrow will bring; a part of me carries that memory every day. From LA to Central Texas, to NYC, and our neighbors around the world, I know we are in a moment of deep suffering, and things will get worse before they get better. 

But know this: it will get better. 

How can you help? BetaNYC is a founding member of Alliance for Civic Technologists, and one of our co-members is Open Austin (OA). One of OA’s board members is helping organize Central TX July 4 Flood Mutual Aid, which is accepting donations via Fundly. The mutual aid group is focused on needs not being filled by the government or HEB. They are focused on housing, food, gas, and medical needs. Additionally, World Central Kitchen is accepting online donations to support their emergency kitchens and fresh water distribution. Here in NYC, Legal Aid has a resources page for immigrant communities.

Even as national and global events feel overwhelming, NYC’s democracy is still very much alive. Host Professor Christina Greer concludes with New York’s desire for hope, a need they had underestimated. The 7/7/2025 episode is worth a listen.

Remember NYC’s 2025 Charter Revision Commission? They just published a preliminary report after six months of hearings. Public comments are open until July 15! Then, we will vote in November to modify the Charter, the City’s constitution.

The proposals offer several interesting ideas. The housing and land use proposals are fascinating. The open primaries are welcoming, albeit frustrating, because I like ranked choice voting. Maybe we can get RCV for the general election?

Lastly, Jeremy Lechtzin rightfully calls out, “the city map proposal is [as] a mixed bag. The report treats digitization like a pure tech problem…” 

I encourage you to read the report, watch the videos, and read the proposed amendments. Vital City, Gothamist, CityLimits, and the New York Times have the most notable articles on the report. Then, submit testimony via the Charter Amendment’s Contact Page.

Finally, a quick update from our team. We’re thrilled to share reflections from our trip to State of the Map 2025 in Boston. Like OpenStreetMap, we seek to build diverse communities and host events that bring us together.

Looking ahead, if you’re ready to discuss the next generation of public interest technology and policy. Join us for CityCamp NYC on September 6th. Early bird tickets are on sale now.

— Noel Hidalgo

Upcoming Events with BetaNYC 🎊

Community Resources 📚

This Week in NYC Civic Tech 🗽

  • “Big Beautiful Bill” Could Gut NYC Safety Net: Proposed federal budget cuts could slash essential services for thousands of New Yorkers.
  • The End of the Adams-Adams Era Budget: Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams agreed to a $116 billion budget. Here’s what made it in (and what didn’t).
  • Universal Child Care Pilot Gets Green Light: NYC’s new budget includes a pilot for universal child care—an ambitious step toward equity for working families.
  • The Bronx’s Digital Divide, Explained: A new report from Center for an Urban Future breaks down the Bronx’s persistent broadband gaps—and what it’ll take to close them.
  • Why NYC Pools Keep Closing: Too many “code browns” shut down NYC’s pools last summer. Officials are trying to keep them open—and clean—this year.
  • Queens Bus Redesign Deserves Another Look: Demetrius Crichlow, President of the MTA New York City Transit, argues the MTA’s Queens bus overhaul needs more fixes to truly serve the borough’s needs.

This Week in Data, Tech, & Gov News 🏛️

  • New York Ends Session with Mixed Environmental Results: Lawmakers passed some climate bills, but critics say big industry wins still stall stronger action.
  • Rural Broadband at Risk: A new plan from the federal administration could hand rural broadband networks over to private companies, leaving communities in the dark.
  • Red States Struggle to Replace Voter Data System: After ditching the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), some GOP-led states are scrambling to build alternative voter tracking systems.
  • The Politics of Plunder: The New Yorker explores how modern political machines are fueled by self-dealing, personal gain, and a taste for chaos. (Paywall) 
  • ICE Uses Health Insurance Data to Track Immigrants: Leaked documents reveal ICE is scanning private medical data to identify deportation targets, raising major privacy concerns.

Artificial Intelligence 🤖

  • Teachers Turn to ChatGPT—But Not Without Worries: Educators are experimenting with AI tools in the classroom, but many fear it could replace them, or steer learning in the wrong direction.
  • NYC Teachers Union and Big Tech Join AI Initiative: A new partnership between Big Tech and NYC educators is raising questions about data privacy and labor control.
  • AI Moderation and Human Rights: What happens when algorithms decide what gets moderated? Tech Policy Press explores the rights implications of AI policing content.
  • “Commitment Jail” and ChatGPT Delusions: Users have reportedly landed in psych care after believing ChatGPT was talking to them directly, highlighting new concerns about AI and mental health.
  • How Risk Gets Warped by AI: Risk analyst Tony Cox warns that AI might amplify misleading risk models, and that could harm public health.
  • What Happens at an AI Couples Retreat? At this unconventional retreat, couples talk, bond, and even argue—with help from AI bots like Replika and ChatGPT.
  • The Messy Reality of Using Generative AI in Government: Governments are jumping on the AI bandwagon—but Tiago C. Peixoto says we need clearer goals, guardrails, and accountability.

Election 2025 🗳️

  • Curtis Sliwa Talks Trump, Crime, and Rent: NYC’s Republican mayoral hopeful, Curtis Sliwa, lays out his vision for safety, affordability, and dealing with Trump.
  • Zohran Mamdani’s Platform, Explained: An op-ed from Council Member Justin Brannan argues that Mamdani’s proposals aim to address core issues facing working-class New Yorkers, from housing to transit access.
  • Building Power from the Ground Up: Council Member Chi Ossé sits down with The Nation to reflect on solidarity, strategy, and shaping the city’s future.
  • What’s Next for the Democratic Party? From courage to coalition-building, Teen Vogue argues that the national party has a lot to learn from Mamdani’s bold politics.
  • Follow the Money in NYC Council Races: Outside spending is pouring into NYC’s local elections. THE CITY tracks who’s backing whom.

Jobs Alert and Announcements 💼 

Upcoming Events 📅

Note: All times are listed in EDT

BetaNYC is building a future where public interest technology is accessible, equitable, and rooted in community needs. From classrooms to City Hall, we’re training the next generation to use data for good. Support this growing movement today. Head to beta.nyc/donate.

Want to sponsor this newsletter or be featured in future ones? Share your community resources, projects, events, and anything else happening so we can feature them in future posts. 

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