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Transparency and Disability Groups Urge NY Leaders to Require Remote/In-Person Public Meetings
Transparency, Press and Disability Groups Urge State Leaders to Require “Hybrid” Remote/In-Person Public Meetings During Sunshine Week, fifteen civic groups sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul and the Legislative Leaders asking that they change the Open Meetings Law to require agencies to offer the public both remote and in-person participation in public meetings (“hybrid” meetings). The…
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BetaNYC statement on Intro 1806-A, Automated Decision Systems used by City Agencies reporting law
“We are excited for the Council to add one more tool to the digital accountability toolbox. It is important for all New Yorkers to know what algorithmic systems are used to deliver government services. Government technology and algorithms should be as accountable as the people who buy or program them.” Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director of BetaNYC…
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NYC 311 Oversight Hearing – 2021
Thank you 311 call operators and staff for being our municipal heroes. Through the pandemic you helped my neighbors through the toughest times. I want to make sure that you know that NYC’s civic tech community appreciates your dedication to serving all of our communities. Here is our 2021 testimony to NY City Council.
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Testimony on Int 2158-2020: Designating a geospatial information officer
To: NYC Council – Committee on TechnologyFrom: Zhi Keng He, Assistant Director of the NYC Civic Innovation Lab Re: Int 2158-2020 Watch the video on the City Council Website, fast forward to 1:36:25 to hear Zhi Keng He’s unabridged testimony I am glad to be here with my former professors and top GIS experts as…
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Open Letter to Mayor de Blasio from the Open Streets Coalition
[Executive Director’s Note – For the last year, BetaNYC has used its technical and analytical talents to support various COVID-19 relief activities. We support NYC’s Open Streets programs because we are neighbors who care about our ecological future and believe in safe and quiet streets. We see them as places for play, breath, and exercise.…
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BetaNYC’s Preliminary Budget Testimony for FY 2022
BetaNYC’s Preliminary Budget Testimony for FY 2022
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New Yorkers Deserve Full Transparency About the COVID-19 Emergency and State Response
Full data transparency — including 121 specific data sets,comprehensive oversight hearing, NTSB-style independent assessment Nine major state watchdog groups wrote to New York’s elected leaders urging full transparency about all aspects of the COVID-19 emergency, including the state’s response. The letter was signed by groups across the political spectrum, from the Empire Center to Reinvent…
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Testimony on NYC’s COVID-19 vaccinations, service design, and their websites
To: NYC Council – Joint committee hearing with Health, Technology, and AgingFrom: Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director Re: Covid-19 vaccinations and their websites (link to hearing) Wednesday, 17 February 2021 On behalf of the BetaNYC community, we would like to say thank you for hosting this open conversation. Thank you Council Members for all of your…
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BetaNYC’s Testimony at City Council Technology Committee Oversight Hearing on the Smart City
To: NYC Council – Committee on Technology, Chair Holden From: Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director Re: Oversight – Smart CityTuesday, 19 January 2021 On behalf of the BetaNYC community, we would like to say thank you for hosting this open conversation. First, BetaNYC would like to acknowledge this Administration’s involvement in the Cities for Digital Rights coalition.…
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Statement on Intro 1894-2020, a bill that would regulate the use of automated employment decision tools.
BetaNYC has signed onto a collective letter that flags a number of concerns within Int. 1894-2020, a bill that would regulate the use of automated employment decision tools. November 11, 2020Hon. Laurie A. CumboNew York City Council Majority Leader via email RE: Int. 1894-2020 – Sale of Automated Employment Decision Tools. Dear Council Member Cumbo:…
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Re: Oversight hearing of Internet Master Plan and Resolution T2020-6730
Important quotes to note from the NYC Internet Master Plan: “The private market has failed to deliver the internet in a way that works for all New Yorkers. Citywide, 29% of households do not have a broadband subscription at home. The same percentage of households are without a mobile broadband connection.” “…more than 1.5 million…
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Statement from 7 Leading Civic and Journalism Groups on Legislature’s Repeal of Police Secrecy Law 50-a and Modification of FOIL
Statement on Legislature’s Repeal of Police Secrecy Law 50-a and Modification of FOIL Our groups thank Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell and Jamaal Bailey, Speaker Carl Heastie, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and the Assembly and State Senate for passing S8496/A10611. Our groups strongly support this bill and ask Governor Cuomo to sign it immediately, without modification or chapter…
