Citizens Union Foundation hosted the inaugural George S. Kaufman Forum at The Greene Space on April 28, 2026, launching a new flagship speaker series dedicated to wide-ranging, solutions-oriented conversations on public policy in New York City, made possible through the support of the George S. Kaufman Charitable Foundation. The Forum honors George S. Kaufman, a longtime Citizens Union Foundation board member, real estate developer, and dedicated civic leader.

The event — titled New Council, New Visions: Building a Local Democracy the Public Can Trust — was moderated by Citizens Union Foundation Board Chair John Avlon and Executive Director Grace Rauh, and featured two sessions: a one-on-one conversation with City Council Speaker Julie Menin, followed by a panel with Council Minority Leader David Carr (Staten Island), Council Member Justin Sanchez (the Bronx), Council Member Shekar Krishnan (Queens), and Council Member Gale Brewer (Manhattan).

The conversation with Speaker Menin ranged across some of the most pressing challenges facing New York City, from fiscal policy to government accountability. On the budget, she discussed the need to identify savings and efficiencies across city agencies, reduce reliance on no-bid contracts, and push Albany for a fairer share of state aid. On ethics and anti-corruption, she highlighted landmark legislation passed under her speakership to curtail no-bid contracting and tighten controls on subcontracting, and called for robust funding of oversight agencies like the Department of Investigation. She also spoke about economic development and the urgent need to reverse the city’s loss of jobs to other states, affordable housing strategies including building on vacant lots and atop public library branches, and her push to create the nation’s first municipal insurance accountability office to address skyrocketing costs for New Yorkers and small businesses.

A significant portion of the panel discussion focused on government ethics, accountability, and campaign finance reform. The council members discussed the need to properly fund oversight agencies like the Department of Investigation and the Conflicts of Interest Board, strengthen FOIL processes, and restore public trust through broader civic engagement. The rise of super PAC spending in local races drew particular attention, with panelists calling for greater transparency and disclosure around independent expenditures flooding hyper-local city council contests. The discussion also touched on the importance of the council’s oversight and investigative function — including the use of subpoena power — and the need for safeguards to protect the integrity of New York City’s public campaign financing system.

Watch the full forum here, and see photos from the event below. Photos by Jennifer S. Altman.