Government Take Action

Making state and local government more democratic, efficient, and accountable will require campaign finance reform, the curtailing of independent authorities, and increased regional cooperation. It will also require close attention to issues of patronage, contracting procedures, ethics, public input, transparency, and the enforcement of existing laws and regulations.

Major reform is required to (i) reduce the tax burden on people with low incomes; (ii) increase taxes on products and activities that cause pollution in order to reflect their true social and governmental costs; (iii) reduce wasteful corporate tax subsidies; and (iv) provide greater, more equitable, and more predictable support to high-poverty cities and counties.

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June 27, 2025

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of June 23, 2025

by PPG Staff Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from council meetings related to our Community Agenda items. If you want to learn more about how the council meetings work and how you can get involved, check out …

June 20, 2025

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of June 16, 2025

by PPG Staff Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from council meetings related to our Community Agenda items. If you want to learn more about how the council meetings work and how you can get involved, check …

June 13, 2025

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of June 9, 2025

by PPG Staff Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from council meetings related to our Community Agenda items. If you want to learn more about how the council meetings work and how you can get involved, check …

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Protecting Privacy, Data Security, and the Right to ProtestJuly 23, 2025, 12:30-2 pm

New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and LOLA (Liberation for One, Liberation for All)

In this workshop, we’ll discuss what’s at stake for both our data security and our ability to speak out in the face of growing government surveillance and overreach. We’ll start by looking at the big picture — from federal attacks under Trump that undermine our civil …

Erie County Budget 101 WorkshopJune 17, 2025, 12:30-2 pm

Erie County’s annual budget is over $2 billion. What are the major areas of spending? When is the budget proposed and adopted? How can residents advocate for priorities to be funded or cut in the 2026 budget?

FOIL for the Facts Workshop (Virtual Only)May 20, 2025, 12:30-2 pm

Michael Higgins

How do you submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to get public records, data, and information from government? How can organizers and advocates use FOIL to strengthen their campaigns?

Buffalo City Budget 101 WorkshopApril 15, 2025, 12:30-2 pm

Buffalo’s annual budget is over $600 million. What are the priorities in the proposed budget for 2025-2026? What is the annual budget process, and how can you influence it? Where does the City get its revenue, and what are the biggest areas of spending?