Arun Venugopal

New York, NY —

Bill de Blasio says he'd make a better public advocate than his more aggressive challengers, because he also knows how to work with the mayor. The Brooklyn council member was on The Brian Lehrer Show this morning, where he noted that he's advanced legislation by ...

. But as long as the office does exist, it's worth understanding why it does, and who the contestants are.

The office of public advocate has only existed, in current form, since the early 90s, and has seen just two occupants: Mark Green (who's running again this year) and Betsy Gotbaum, who has been the PA since 2001.

In essence, the public advocate performs the following functions:

• Advocates for tenants on a citywide basis
• Issues reports on various aspects of city governance
• Holds the mayor's feet to the fire
• Succeeds the mayor, if the mayor can no longer serve

Point # 3 – The public advocate’s ability to hold the mayor’s feet to the fire – is what most clearly defines the office in the eyes of the public. In the 90s, Mark Green frequently did combat with Mayor Giuliani, much to the delight of the media. On the other hand, Betsy Gotbaum does not view herself as an antagonist, and that has resulted in a less visible office. It hasn’t helped that the mayor and City Council recently slashed the budget of the office by 40 percent, and that Councilman Simcha Felder has proposed eliminating the office.

Listen to the debate:

The four major candidates for public advocate faced off in a debate that was broadcast Sunday morning. Early on, Councilman Bill DeBlasio took aim at the front-runner, Mark Green, who held the job during ...

New York, NY —

The four major candidates for public advocate faced off in a debate that was broadcast yesterday morning. Early on, Councilman Bill DeBlasio took aim at the front-runner, Mark Green, who held the job during the Giuliani administration.

DEBLASIO: I have to say with all due respect ...

Fashion Week is a couple weeks away but Pet Fashion Week has just concluded. The event, for purveyors of high-end pet clothes and accessories took place this weekend in Chelsea. WNYC's Arun Venugopal checked in with wholesalers and retailers there and found those who showed up for the ...

New York, NY —

Some Council members say the city needs to crack down on illegal street vending, especially at high-tourism sites like the Met Museum, where carts have proliferated recently. But some of the vendors say the effort is misguided.

Howard Dalton operates outside the Met and is one ...

New York, NY —

The hot weather might mean cold drinks for some people, but for Muslims observing Ramadan, drinks -- and food -- aren't an option. The holy month began Saturday and that means fasting between dawn and sunset and frequent prayers in between.

Ibrahim Balde is a 16-year-old ...

New York, NY —

A stretch of lower Manhattan along the East River is set to get a new, two-mile promenade. The project is meant to transform the waterfront into a more pedestrian and bike-friendly space.

City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden says a newly constructed Pier 15 will have an ...

"There'll be gigantic chaises, where you can look south into the harbor. And then you go to the upper level, where you'll have giant lawns to sunbathe and one of the most spectacular views in the whole world."

According to Mayor Bloomberg, the esplanade will eventually connect to Battery ...

New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson are trumpeting what they call the nation's first affordable housing developments to be built with federal stimulus funds.

Three developments in Harlem, and a fourth in East New York, will use $60 million in federal funds to create more than 700 ...

New York, NY —

City transportation officials say they've completed work closing stretches of Broadway to vehicles, and they'll now gather data to assess how traffic's been affected.

The preparations started at the beginning of summer and officially ended yesterday, with the unveiling of lots of shiny new street furniture ...

The Bollywood and bhangra dancers were out in full force at the India Day parade on Madison Avenue in midtown Manhattan on Sunday. The India Day parade marks India's independence from Britain, in 1947.

New York, NY —

Summer finally feels like it's arrived, with the high hitting 91 degrees today. Mayor Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to take it easy in the heat, and also on the air conditioning thermostat.

BLOOMBERG: But if you are not in the room or not at home, please ...

New York, NY —

State legislators are accusing Mayor Bloomberg of obstructing efforts to reform the state's public authorities.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky says a legislative package that has already passed both the Assembly and the Senate would provide greater transparency for the MTA, the Empire State Development Corporation and other ...

New York, NY —

The Bollywood and bhangra dancers were out in full force at the India Day parade yesterday, but so were protesters opposing the exclusion of gays and lesbians.

The South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association says parade organizers would not acknowledge their application to march alongside other ...

New York, NY —

Feeling intimidated by Twitter? So was Mayor Bloomberg. But then he got a tutorial, from none other than Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter.

BLOOMBERG: My first tweet was just before but I did spend 45 minutes with him. Smart guy! Grew up in New York ...

Feeling intimidated by Twitter? So was Mayor Bloomberg. But then he got a tutorial, from none other than Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter.

'My first tweet was just before, but I did spend 45 minutes with him. Smart guy!'

After letting his aides do it for him, the ...

New York, NY —

Positive economic news isn't easy to come by these days, but apparently for all the job losses and foreclosures, a silver lining does exist: in the form of Housing Works. The combination thrift store chain and community AIDS organization is experiencing a 10 percent growth ...

New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg is downplaying a controversy over how city money was allocated to two Jewish non-profits.

The issue pits the mayor against Councilman Simcha Felder, who claims the money was distributed in his name without his knowledge. The mayor says the $1.5 million was likely requested ...

New York, NY —

Deer hunting season starts this Saturday in bars and restaurants across the city. That's when the world championships begin for a popular arcade game called Big Buck Hunter Pro. The person who racks up the most points bagging bucks with big racks gets $10,000, and ...