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We Turned Two Decades of Council Budget PDFs Into Open Data. Now the City Should Maintain The Data.
Intro New Yorkers have wanted to see where their tax dollars go for a very long time. In 1907, reformers founded the New York Bureau of Municipal Research, and the following year it staged a “Budget Exhibit” that laid the city’s spending out for ordinary residents to walk through and question. The idea behind it,…
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Testimony to the Commission on Government Efficiency, COGE, a Charter Revision Commission
Written testimony for Modernizing Government and Streamlining Government Technology.
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Joint Testimony to the NYC Council for Executive Budget Hearing, Public Comment on Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS)
Joint Testimony to the NYC Council for Executive Budget Hearing, Public Comment Modest $255,000 investment in OpenRecords portal will encourage better NYC FOIL performance, fully implement Local Law 11 of 2025 Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony on the Executive Budget as relates to the budget of the Department of Records and Information…
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BetaNYC joins 13 groups to fight for better freedom of information appeals – memo of support
MEMO OF SUPPORT S9607 (May) / A11143 (Kassay) Requires agencies to allow FOIL appeals be done electronically TITLE OF BILLAn act to amend the public officers law [POL], in relation to certain reforms for agencies subject to the freedom of information law [FOIL]. STATEMENT OF SUPPORTOur groups strongly support this bill because it is absurd…
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Testimony to the NYC Council for 2026 Preliminary Budget Hearing – Technology
To: NYC Council – Committee on TechnologyFrom: Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director of BetaNYC Re: Testimony to the NYC Council for Preliminary Budget Hearing – Technology Wednesday, 18 March 2026 Dear Chair De La Rosa, fellow Council Members, and Staff, Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding the Preliminary Budget for the Office…
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Dear Mayor-Elect Mamdani, here are 8 gov tech ideas for your first 100 days.
On Dec 19, the NYC Public Interest Tech Pop-up hosted BetaNYC and a selected group of community leaders on their visions for the next administration. Tune into the conversation via YouTube. Congratulations Mayor-Elect Mamdani, We’re here to help you build digital services with your neighbors, empower OTI, grow NYC Digital Service, modernize 311 and data…
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Update on NYC’s Internet Master Plan, City Council Edition
“Just as past generations built systems for clean water and electricity, this Internet Master Plan makes connectivity a public good—fast, fair, and universal,” said Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director of BetaNYC. “It’s the foundation for an equitable, connected future.” Yesterday, the New York City Council passed an updated Internet Master Plan law. If signed by the…
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Testimony to NYC Council’s Hearing on the Internet Master Plan
To: NYC Council – Committee on TechnologyFrom: Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director of BetaNYCRe: Internet Master Plan Hearing Tuesday, 29 April 2025 Dear Chair Gutiérrez, fellow Council Members, and Staff, First, digital literacy must be viewed as critical infrastructure. Introduction BetaNYC is a public interest technology non-profit dedicated to helping New Yorkers access information and use technology. …
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????? We have a real crisis in Albany – URGENT ?????
For over 20 years, New Yorkers have worked to address sustainable funding for our regional transit system and the heart of our economy. At the end of this month, a thoroughly researched process was to be implemented. As of Wednesday, we are facing a crisis that threatens to derail the MTA’s capital plan while…
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30+ Groups Support Bill to Improve Open Meetings Law
Our groups support this bill to encourage public participation in open meetings and make attendance easier for officials. COVID-19 showed remote meetings benefit many, including the disabled and parents. The bill mandates hybrid meetings, reduces quorum requirements for community boards, and ensures transparency in public notices. We urge its passage.
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Testimony to NYC Council’s Hearing on Open Data
Now, more than ever, the City’s data analytics team and the open data program need resources to ensure other agencies can do more with less. Since its inception, the data analytics team has streamlined internal and external data-sharing practices. Their work has improved people’s lives.
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BetaNYC and Right to Counsel Coalition Launch New Website Visualizing Statewide Support for Legislation
BetaNYC and Right to Counsel are excited to announce the launch of a new website that visualizes the support for these three pieces of legislation from both grassroots and elected leadership: Statewide Support for Housing Courts Must Change! Campaign: hcmustchange.beta.nyc. The website allows viewers to: Visualize the districts of state legislators, including the counties and…
