The Weekly Watchdog

Good morning! Happy Sunday. We hope you had as great of a week as Citizens Union did last week. Some of our long-standing reform priorities moved one step closer to the ballot, with the Charter Revision Commission announcing it is exploring election improvements. Elsewhere in New York City, campaigns are struggling and investigations are continuing. We got all that and more below. Enjoy!

News Worth Clicking

CU priorities in the Commission’s report 🤓 Charter Revision Commission eyes housing, primary election changes NY1 By Kelly Mena	The commission tasked with evaluating the “city’s constitution” released its preliminary report earlier this week, and Citizens Union’s priorities for a more open and inclusive democracy are all over it. First, it is considering opening New York City’s primary elections, allowing all voters and all candidates, regardless of party, to compete in one primary, with the top two candidates moving on to the general election. Second, it is looking into whether City elections should occur in even years, giving a dramatic turnout boost to our poor participation rate.
Adams’ legal headaches remain New York City board seeks more information about Eric Adams’ potential illegalities Politico By Joe Anuta	If you thought the Mayor’s legal problems disappeared, think again. New York City’s Campaign Finance Board is still looking into whether the Adams’ campaign broke the law and has asked for more documentation on fundraisers from his 2021 campaign, office leases, and the case dismissal by the Department of Justice. The Mayor is still denied over $4 million in matching funds, adding more challenges to his campaign.
Cuomo skirts campaign finance rules 🤫 Andrew Cuomo is whispering to his super PAC Politico By Jeff Coltin	It’s one thing to have a Super PAC support your campaign, it’s another to find legal loopholes to coordinate with it. Politico reveals that former Governor and current mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo has a page on his campaign website pretty much giving Super PACs explicit strategic instructions on how to spend their money, down to targeting demographics. We admit, there’s nothing one can do to limit Super PACs – thanks to the United States Supreme Court – but does it mean candidates need to help them succeed?
Keeping the powerful accountable Proposed law would let City Council remove NYC mayor City & State By Austin Jefferson	Less than a month after we proposed New York City create a process to remove a mayor over misconduct, two state legislators seem to have listened. The proposal from Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and Senator Jabari Brisport differs from ours on the details, but an important conversation continues. An honest government requires strong mechanisms to hold elected officials accountable for misconduct.
Dropping Law Day news 😬 Eric Adams’ appointee highlights ‘unprecedented’ ethics problems in City Hall Politico By Joe Anuta	Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber kept a tight lip about the high-profile investigations her anti-corruption agency has conducted during an hour-long conversation with our former colleague Ben Max at a New York Law School breakfast. But even she had to admit that the number of investigations, indictments, and resignations we’ve seen in City Hall in the past few years is “unprecedented.” Don’t forget where you saw it first, folks.
What’s your strategy? 🗳 Can Voters Game Out Their Ranked Choice Ballot? The CITY By Rachel Kahn	Only 51 days to go until the primary elections for City offices, including the Mayor. Do you know who you are voting for yet? How are you going to rank your picks for Mayor? It’s time to start thinking about it, and if you are at all confused about Ranked Choice Voting, the CITY has your questions covered.
Commentary Harry Siegel: Limited NYC mayoral picks in a limited primary New York Daily News By Harry Siegel	Apparently, Harry Siegel isn’t too happy with how the race for Mayor has played out so far, and he has some suggestions as to how to fix future ones. Can you guess what they are? Here at CU, we believe in messaging strategies that really slam the point home. Hope you don’t mind! Enjoy the weekend.