Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ask A Reporter: How Do The Layers Of Government In New York Work?
By
Carl Boisrond
Published Sep 20, 2018
Modified Sep 28, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Carl Boisrond
Published Sep 20, 2018
Modified Sep 28, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A question came through the “Ask a Reporter” pipeline recently asking where to go to learn how all the various levels of government (city, state, federal) controlling New York fit together.
The mazes of bureaucracy can indeed be confusing to understand. Knowing how it works and who to call can save you a lot of precious time and energy.
And the New York Public Library is here to help make sense of it all.
Let’s Talk Democracy, a series from the NYPL designed to answer this question, begins tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Tompkins Square Library located at 331 East 10th Street. The series runs every Thursday through October 25, 2018. Here's the schedule of events:
Thursday, September 20 5:30 - 6:45pm
Introduction to Structure of Federal Government
Prof. John KrinskyThursday, September 27 5:30 - 6:30pm
Introduction to City Government
Council Member Carlina RiveraThursday, October 4 5:30 - 6:45pm
Structure of City Government (2)
Elana ShneyerThursday, October 11 5:30 - 6:45pm
Introduction to State Government
Assembly Member Harvey EpsteinThursday, October 18, 5:30 - 6:45pm
Land Use
Julian Morales, GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side)Thursday, October 25, 5:30 - 6:45pm
Judgeships (Electoral Process and Appointments)
Robert Rosenthal, JD
And while you’re here, a reminder: National Voter Registration Day is September 25th. Click here to find a voter registration event near you.
Subscribe to the Politics Brief newsletter for continued elections coverage
Email Address *
* indicates required
Tagged
ask a reporter
city government
Carl Boisrond
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE used a warehouse in NJ. Locals are ‘frustrated’ by Sherrill’s response.
A councilmember and immigration activists criticized the governor for not doing more after ICE seemingly admitted to violating a court order.
By
Mike Hayes
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NY Gov. Hochul once resisted a data center pause. Now it’s central to her campaign.
The governor’s Republican opponent, Bruce Blakeman, says Hochul failed to prepare for the disruptive industry.
By
Jon Campbell
News
NY Gov. Hochul once resisted a data center pause. Now it’s central to her campaign.
The governor’s Republican opponent, Bruce Blakeman, says Hochul failed to prepare for the disruptive industry.
By
Jon Campbell
Judge temporarily halts overnight construction at NYC’s Chinatown jail
By
Giulia Heyward
Pressure grows on Mamdani to reform admissions to NYC specialized high schools
By
Elizabeth Kim
Police search for man in Central Park sexual assault
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .