The following is a statement by Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate, regarding today’s announcement that the Public Advocate’s budget has been cut by nearly 40%:
“City Council
Speaker
Christine Quinn
owes the
taxpayers of New
York City an
explanation for
the cuts made to
the Public
Advocate’s
budget this
year. While
cutting the
Public
Advocate’s
budget by nearly
40%, Speaker
Quinn continued
to dole out
member item
money to 51
members. Her
actions
completely
ignore her
responsibility
that people must
be put before
politics.
I am disappointed that my two democratic opponents running for Public Advocate, Councilmen Eric Gioia and Bill de Blasio, did not seek restore cuts to the Public Advocate’s budget. Either they were asleep at the wheel or didn’t care enough to fund this very important office.
I commend Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum for continuing to defend the Public Advocate’s office and the need for a strong watchdog in city government. Speaker Quinn’s actions further solidify my call for an independent budget for this office. Both the Mayor and City Council should not control the budget of this office.
The Public Advocate is an important independent citywide voice against the Mayor and City Council. Last year, Public Advocate Gotbaum’s staff helped over 12,000 residents having problems with government. ”
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I am disappointed that my two democratic opponents running for Public Advocate, Councilmen Eric Gioia and Bill de Blasio, did not seek restore cuts to the Public Advocate’s budget. Either they were asleep at the wheel or didn’t care enough to fund this very important office.
I commend Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum for continuing to defend the Public Advocate’s office and the need for a strong watchdog in city government. Speaker Quinn’s actions further solidify my call for an independent budget for this office. Both the Mayor and City Council should not control the budget of this office.
The Public Advocate is an important independent citywide voice against the Mayor and City Council. Last year, Public Advocate Gotbaum’s staff helped over 12,000 residents having problems with government. ”
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