Wade Beltramo, General Counsel, New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM)

"When Transparency Turns Tense:

What Every Local Leader Needs to Know About First Amendment Audits"

What happens when someone walks into City Hall with a camera, refuses to explain why they’re filming, and later posts the footage online—framing the interaction as evidence of government secrecy or misconduct?

That’s the starting point of this week’s Community Catalysts episode, where I speak with Wade Beltramo, General Counsel of the New York State Conference of Mayors. Wade has spent years helping municipal officials prepare for and respond to what are commonly called First Amendment audits. These encounters can feel chaotic, even confrontational—but behind them lies a serious constitutional question: What does the First Amendment actually protect?

This conversation went well beyond our usual half-hour format because it had to. Wade unpacks the legal and practical realities with clarity and care, offering grounded advice for how local governments can safeguard transparency, protect public employees, and avoid the missteps that can turn a routine day into a viral crisis.

He explains why courts treat the First Amendment with extraordinary deference—and why this should be a wake-up call for local leaders. The risks are real, and not just legal. As Wade puts it, the days following a poorly handled audit can be a nightmare: threats, harassment, and reputational damage, all stemming from a moment of uncertainty that no one expected and few were trained to handle.

At the same time, this isn’t a call for fear or overreaction. Wade reminds us that transparency and public accountability are core responsibilities of democratic government. The answer isn’t to shut down or hide—it’s to prepare, communicate, and lead with clarity.

If you’ve never experienced a First Amendment audit firsthand, consider yourself lucky—but don’t assume you’re immune. As this episode makes clear, awareness and readiness are part of what it now means to lead in public service.

Listen to the full episode on the Community Catalysts podcast.