Politics

The confusing names behind New York lobbying efforts

What they actually do might be different from what it sounds like they do.

Activists from New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets and PETA demanding to ban the practice of horse drawn carriages ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

By Peter Sterne

| April 3, 2023

By Peter Sterne

Editor

April 3, 2023

Some political groups have very straightforward names, like the Real Estate Board of New York. Got it, they’re big-time developers. However, our interest was piqued at American Opportunity, a group backed by money from former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, running ads to support Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget priorities. Here are some other groups that have names that people might misunderstand.

Organization	What it sounds like	What it actually is	In their own words
American Chemistry Council	A professional organization of scientists, akin to the American Chemical Society.	A lobbying group for plastics manufacturers and other chemical companies.	“The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents more than 190 companies engaged in the business of chemistry.”
Rent Stabilization Association	A tenant group that supports New York’s rent-stabilization and rent-control laws.	A landlord group that opposes the state’s rent-stabilization and rent-control laws.	“RSA represents 25,000 property owners and agents responsible for approximately one million rent-stabilized units of housing.”
Community Housing Improvement Program	A charity that repairs dilapidated houses.	Another landlord group that opposes rent-stabilization and rent-control laws.	“CHIP is a trade association for owners of over 400,000 rent-stabilized rental properties across New York City.”
Good Government Coalition	A government watchdog group focused on ethics and transparency.	A super PAC dedicated to elected Republicans.	“The Good Government Coalition’s mission is to stop the extreme left’s movement to restructure America into a socialist nation.”
New Yorkers for Responsible Gaming	A support group for people with gambling problems.	A lobbying group for a racetrack casino.	“Raising awareness of the role that responsible gaming operations play in good paying union job creation, economic opportunity, and revenue generation for state education.”
New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets	A traffic safety group that supports bike lanes and speed cameras in school zones.	An animal rights group that opposes horse-drawn carriages and horse racing.	“NYCLASS is committed to changing the world for animals and seeks to create a truly humane society for all.”
New Yorkers for Affordable Energy	A group supporting energy subsidies for low-income New Yorkers.	A fossil fuel industry group fighting New York’s climate laws.	“New Yorkers for Affordable Energy is a coalition of community, labor, business and industry leaders from across the state who support greater access to clean, reliable and affordable sources of energy.”
City & State New York	The joint entities of New York City and New York state government.	This magazine!	“City & State is the premier media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and state politics and policy.”