Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation are committed to reforming New York City and State government by fostering accountability, accessibility, transparency, honesty and the highest ethical standards. Always nonpartisan, since 1897, we have devoted ourselves to holding our government accountable and the enfranchisement of all New Yorkers.
Fighting for reform, fighting for New York.
Our Most Recent Press Releases
Watchdogs Welcome Law School Deans’ New Vetting Procedures for Ethics Commission Candidates
Our groups welcome the review procedures developed by New York’s law school deans (who by law compose the Independent Review Committee or “IRC”) to review candidates submitted to them by the state’s elected officials.
Citizens Union Announces Preferences of Kathy Hochul in Democratic Primary and Harry Wilson in Republican Primary for Governor
Citizens Union has announced its preferences of Kathy Hochul in the upcoming Democratic Primary for New York State Governor and Harry Wilson in the upcoming Republican Primary for New York State Governor.
Citizens Union Announces Preferences of Three Candidates for Assembly in Competitive June Primaries
Citizens Union has announced its preferences in 3 contested primary elections for State Assembly.
Watchdogs Ask Gov Hochul to Keep Her Transparency Pledge, Show Public How $8B+ in Lump Sum Funds Are Spent
Leading government and budget watchdog groups are once again asking Government Hochul to keep her promise to bring a “new era of transparency” to state government, this time by showing the public how billions in state lump sum funds are spent.
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission’s Decision to Delay Draft Maps and Hold Additional Public Hearings
We write knowing that the adopting legislation in the budget sets a short time frame for appointing members to the new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (“CELG”). We urge you, as you consider the statutory requirements of “background and expertise,” to abide by the following principles:
Citizens Union Applauds Legislature for Moving Voter Registration Deadline to 10 Days Before Election Day
Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after the NYS Assembly passed S2951A/A8858A which would reduce the time for mailing and receipt of voter registration applications to the Constitutional minimum of 10 days before election
Citizens Union Applauds State Senate for Taking Steps to Reform New York’s Broken Election Administration System
Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the State Senate for passing a set of bills that will reform Boards of Elections throughout New York State
Citizens Union, League of Women Voters of NYS urge postponement of all primaries until Aug 23
Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters of NYS sent a letter to Governor Hochul and legislative leaders urging the postponement of all elections scheduled to take place in June to August 23.
The New York State Court of Appeals’ decision to invalidate Congressional and State Senate district lines and hold a new primary for those offices in August leaves in place the June primary elections for Statewide offices, State Assembly, judicial offices, and elections for party positions. The decision on whether to change the June primary was left to the legislature to make.
Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response NYS Court of Appeals Ruling on Redistricting Map
Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the NYS Court of Appeals ruling on the state’s redistricting maps
Citizens Union Files Amicus Brief Urging Court to Give Weight to Anti-Gerrymandering Provision in State Constitution
Citizens Union filed an amicus brief in the matter of Harkenrider v. Hochul, the case challenging the newly drawn congressional and legislative district maps in New York, which is now before the New York Court of Appeals. Citizens Union joined the Campaign Legal Center in filing this brief.
Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response to Resignation of Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin
Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the news that Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has resigned
Recent Events
Civic Conversations, Spring for Reform 2020
