Citizens Union Comments on NYS Compensation Committee Recommendations
December 11, 2018 - In order to attract the best, brightest, and most independent to public service, elected officials need to be compensated fairly for the work they do.
Citizens Union Statement on Sentencing of Syracuse Developer in Buffalo Billions Scandal
December 7, 2018 - "The charges brought against Joseph Gerardi speak to a culture of corruption in Albany and the need for a serious assessment of New York State’s ethics laws. Mr. Gerardi's conviction and sentencing, and that of top state officials in recent years, should serve as a reminder to lawmakers that it is time for Albany to be serious about ethics reform.
CU Reacts to Charges Brought Against Assemblymember Joseph Errigo
October 11, 2018 - "The charges brought yesterday against Assemblyman Joseph Errigo speak to a culture of corruption in Albany, where lobbyists and powerful interests can literally purchase lawmakers and legislation to suit their needs. This corruption is especially prevalent when it comes to decision making around economic development, and it should come as no surprise that nefarious interests looking to take advantage of the system are seeking to muddy the waters of oversight over huge sums of taxpayer dollars,"
Transparency Cannot Wait
July 1, 2018 - State Economic Development Contracts In Buffalo and Syracuse Worth Over $1 Billion Rigged
As Massive Bid Rigging Trial Gets Underway Watchdogs Call On Assembly Speaker Heastie to Stop Stalling and Allow Vote on Database of Deals and Comptroller’s Procurement Integrity Act
June 18, 2018 - State Economic Development Contracts In Buffalo and Syracuse Worth Over $1Billion Rigged.
Bills that would increase transparency of state business subsidies and fairness of economic development contracts have already passed State Senate 62-0 and 60-2.
Progressive Groups, Government and Budget Watchdogs Call On Assembly Speaker Heastie to Allow Vote on Database of Deals and Comptroller’s Procurement Integrity Act
June 7, 2018 - Bills have already passed State Senate 62-0 and 60-2 Would increase transparency of state business subsidies and fairness of economic development contracts.
Watchdog Groups Applaud Senate for Passing Bills to Increase the Transparency and Accountability of State Economic Development Programs
May 9, 2018 - Good government and fiscal watchdog groups commend the Senate for passing a package of bills intended to improve the transparency and accountability of the state’s multitude of economic development programs.
Brooklyn Pol Runs Campaign Out of His Nonprofit’s Housing
April 10, 2018 - "The senator identified that address as his campaign headquarters in a candidate questionnaire submitted to the good-government group Citizens Union when he first sought his central Brooklyn seat in 2014."
Testimony to the New York City Council on Sexual Harassment Best Practices and Policies in New York City
March 1, 2018 - At this early stage in the review of the city’s sexual harassment policy, we offer three recommendations
#MeToo Advocacy in NYC Council
February 28, 2018 - Sexual harassment is not only a labor rights issue, it is not only a public safety issue – it is a good government issue when sexual and gender-based harassment goes unaddressed in city government. It is a matter of democratic representation, broadly speaking.
Year Of “Albany On Trial” Starts With Former Top Aide To Governor Cuomo And Big Political Donors Facing Bribery And Extortion Charges
January 22, 2018 - A series of major government corruption trials begin today with former executive deputy secretary to Governor Cuomo, Joseph Percoco and top political contributors to the governor facing bribery and extortion charges.
Restore Public Trust
January 15, 2018 - A series of major government corruption trials begin today with former executive deputy secretary to Governor Cuomo, Joseph Percoco and top political contributors to the governor facing bribery and extortion charges.
Citizens Union Calls for Incumbent District Attorneys and District Attorney Candidates to Not Accept Campaign Contributions from Lawyers with Pending Matters
October 26, 2017 - This week, Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union, sent letters to the District Attorneys of New York City, on behalf of the board.
Decision Not To Prosecute Does Not Give Green Light To Mayor To Conduct Business as Usual
March 16, 2017 - Nonprofit and political fundraising activity conducted so close to city hall decisions still not ethical.
Governor’s Words On Ethics Reform Again Welcomed
November 16, 2016 - Action, Not Words, Are Needed to Prevent the Corruption in our State Capitol.
Citizens Union Proposes City Law To Regulate New Breed Of Elected Official Formed And Affiliated Nonprofit Organizations
July 6, 2016 - Good government organization calls upon mayor de blasio and council speaker mark-viverito to enact legislation requiring such nonprofits be subject to the jurisdiction of the city’s campaign finance board.
Law would require groups to register, disclose activity, limit contribution size from those with business before the city, and forbid fundraising by elected official.
Law needed to curb return of “pay-to-play” culture of corruption at city hall where big money poses threat to honest government decision-making.
Good government group also releases letter sent to conflicts of interest board asking if recent declaration that certain specific mayoral consultants are “agents of the city” should they be required to file financial disclosure statements.
Citizens Union’s “State Spending in the Shadows” Report Finds $2.4 Billion In Opaque Funds In Nearly 80 Lump Sum Pots In State Budget
February 29, 2016 - Legislature expected to add its own discretionary pots as it did last year when it added 30 pots totalling $300 million.
Albany Corruption Tracker
December 11, 2015 - UUID no longer functions
Two More Corruption Convictions Confirm Need for Ethics Reforms in Albany
July 24, 2015 - With state senators Thomas Libous and John Sampson convicted of corruption, the number forced from office crosses 31 since 1999.
Civics Groups Decry Albany’s Unfinished Ethics Agenda
June 26, 2015 - Urge governor, legislative leaders, to convene special session.
Reformers Urge Governor Cuomo, Legislative Leaders, Don’t Let Session End without Moving Meaningful Ethics Forward
May 20, 2015 - New York's leading reform organizations today urged Governor Cuomo and the legislative leaders to make ethics reform a top end-of-session priority.
Citizens Union: Dean Skelos Must Step Down
May 5, 2015 - Good Government Group believes Senate Leader Skelos has violated trust of the public.
Good Government Groups Question Why Ethics Disclosure Bill Not Yet Publicly Disclosed
March 31, 2015 - A NY state ethics deal may have been reached, but no one has yet seen a bill. Only 15 hours remain before the deadline of the state budget’s required passage is reached.
Albany Ethics Reform is Inadequate More Comprehensive Plan is Still Needed
March 31, 2015 - New York needs a much stronger response than the ethics bill finally presented mid-afternoon today by the governor and the legislature to solve Albany’s crime wave of political corruption.
Ethics Proposal by Governor and Speaker is an Improvement Over Status Quo
March 18, 2015 - Good government groups see agreement that still leaves much unfinished reform on the table.
