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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September 29, 2018
Buffalo News: "Critics take aim at Benderson over city tax break — for one apartment"
"When the public invests money in things, it should yield a benefit for the community," Magavern said. "It should be providing affordable housing and quality jobs for city residents, not just padding the profit of wealthy developers."
September 17, 2018
The 501(c)(3) Advocacy Lab Follow Up
On Wednesday, September 12, 2018, Buffalo Commons, a joint collaboration between PPG and Cornell in Buffalo, hosted its first Lab in what will be a series of educational programs beginning this fall. It was free and open to the public. Sam Magavern, Executive Director of Partnership for the Public …
October 9, 2017
One Nation Under a Groove: Beauty and Democracy Reconsidered
Thank you to everyone who came out to help celebrate PPG's 10th Anniversary! We are excited to play a role in what the next 10 years of research, advocacy, support and change-making will look like in Buffalo. Here is a link to Sam's remarks for the evening: One Nation Under …
March 15, 2017
Congressional Management Foundation Releases Report Outlining the Most Effective Ways of Contacting Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) released a new report today outlining the degree of influence that citizens have on congressional decision-making. The research in "Citizen-Centric Advocacy: The Untapped Power of Constituent Engagement" is the most …
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Voting Rights: Reforming Voting Laws in NYSNovember 28, 2018, 7-10 pm
New Yorkers want free, fair and secure voting. But, unlike many other states, New York has antiquated laws that discourage voting and deny many citizens the freedom to vote. Together, we can change that. Western New York voters and speakers from the Let NY Vote Coalition, including Susan Lerner, …
Working With the MediaNovember 19, 2018, 12-1:30 pm
Marsha McLeod, Aaron Lowinger, Mark Sommer
Learn to effectively engage the media by building relationships and crafting your message. If you want to get media coverage for your organization or campaign, it’s essential you’re seen and heard in the media on a regular basis. Journalists are constantly looking for interesting …
Running an Issue-Based CampaignOctober 24, 2018, 5:30-7 pm
Jessica Bauer Walker, India Walton, Andrea Ó Súilleabháin
Learn the groundwork that is needed for successful advocacy and campaigns. What does running an issue-based campaign mean? How do you do it successfully? What is your goal or theory of change? Who has the resources to make the change? Who are your targets and why? How do you build, mobilize …
Join us for the Buffalo Commons 501(c)(3) Advocacy LabSeptember 12, 2018, 12:30-1:45 pm
Sam Magavern
While 501(c)(3)s cannot directly support or oppose candidates for public office, there are many activities these organizations and their staff may do. Join Sam Magavern, Executive Director of PPG, as he shares the laws and rules regarding electoral activities and describes examples of what you can …
