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Restoring Trust in City Hall | Buffalo in Transition

Date: Jun 6, 2025
Author(s): Caitlin Love Crowell
Topic(s): Government: Budgets, Government: General, Government: Local Government Bodies, Government: Open Government, Government: Taxation
Type: Policy Brief
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Buffalo’s city government must cultivate transparency, accountability, and good faith - qualities that are essential to public trust and effective democracy. But Buffalo falls short of ethical standards in several key areas, from nepotism and closed-door decision-making to inactive oversight bodies and political influence in public spending.

This brief outlines practical, common-sense steps to rebuild trust: enforcing transparency laws, preventing conflicts of interest, strengthening oversight, and ensuring meaningful public participation in local governance. 

Buffalo in Transition briefs are a collection of clear, community-driven policy ideas for Buffalo’s next chapter. Each brief highlights practical ways to reduce poverty, advance racial equity, and build a more just city. The ideas come from PPG’s Community Agenda, created each year by over 380 local partners.