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.
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,"
September 9, 2018 - “Voter participation in New York’s primary elections is historically low,”
July 1, 2018 - State Economic Development Contracts In Buffalo and Syracuse Worth Over $1 Billion Rigged
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.
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.
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.
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."
March 28, 2018 - Today, Citizens Union released Spending in the Shadows: Nonspecific Funding in the FY 2019 New York State Executive Budget.
March 1, 2018 - At this early stage in the review of the city’s sexual harassment policy, we offer three recommendations
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 16, 2017 - Charges will not be filed against the Mayor or his associates related to the various investigations into his fundraising activities is a double edged sword.
March 16, 2017 - Nonprofit and political fundraising activity conducted so close to city hall decisions still not ethical.
November 16, 2016 - Action, Not Words, Are Needed to Prevent the Corruption in our State Capitol.
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.
February 29, 2016 - Legislature expected to add its own discretionary pots as it did last year when it added 30 pots totalling $300 million.
December 11, 2015 - UUID no longer functions
July 24, 2015 - With state senators Thomas Libous and John Sampson convicted of corruption, the number forced from office crosses 31 since 1999.
June 26, 2015 - Urge governor, legislative leaders, to convene special session.
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.
May 5, 2015 - Good Government Group believes Senate Leader Skelos has violated trust of the public.
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.