Legislative Rules – Citizens Union

Good Government Groups Request Updates to Legislative Rules That Can Help Improve the Senate and Assembly

December 20, 2022 - Citizens Union and other good government groups request legislative leaders to make updates to legislative rules that can help their ongoing efforts to improve the Senate and Assembly

Transparency and Disability Groups Ask Legislature for Open Meetings Webcasting Rules

December 19, 2022 - Citizens Union joined more than a dozen transparency and disability groups in calling the legislative leaders pass new rules that ensure that all public meetings in the Legislature are webcast. Due to changes in the Open Meetings Law (OML) approved by the Legislature in April, if the Senate and Assembly intend to use videoconferencing to allow members to participate remotely in public meetings, they must adopt a one-time joint resolution after a public hearing to authorize videoconferencing.

Letter to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams requesting a public hearing on possible reforms to the Rules of the Council 2022

January 20, 2022 - A group letter to new Council Speaker Adrienne Adams asking that she convene a public hearing on possible reforms to the Rules of the Council in the coming weeks

Letter to Legislative Leaders on Rules Reform and Legislative Activity in Remote Conditions 2020

January 4, 2021 - Group letter to the four legislative leaders urging them to make it a top priority to reform the rules governing the proceedings and operations of the legislature in order to address new challenges stemming from remote legislative work under the COVID-19 pandemic and improve public confidence in the legislative process.

Letter to Legislative Leaders in Support of Rules Reform in the Legislature 2019

January 8, 2019 - Group letter to the four legislative leaders urging them to reform the rules governing the proceedings and operations of the legislature.

Good Government Groups Call for Ethics and Rules Changes as Assembly Picks New Speaker

February 2, 2015 - Urge lawmakers to seize opportunity to restore public's faith in state government.

New Council Member Items Uphold Promise Of More Equality For Districts

June 25, 2014 - Districts to receive near equal amounts of expense funds and equal capital funds.

New Rules New Spirit at City Council

May 14, 2014 - Citizens Union commends the City Council and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for the adoption of a new set of rules for the Council that was the result of a public process unlike any done before by the Council.

Proposing Substantial Improvements to Reforming the Council’s Rules

April 29, 2014 - Citizens Union commends the City Council and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for proposing substantial improvements to reforming the Council’s rules and making it a more democratically-run legislative body.

Citizens Union Announces Majority Support In New York City Council For Long-needed Council Rules Reforms

November 20, 2013 - Widespread support exists to address even those personal benefits often prized by councilmembers - reduce number of committees, limit “Lulus” to leadership positions, and create a more equitable and needs-based discretionary funding process.

Citizens Union Champions New Lobbying Reforms Before City Council

November 7, 2013 - Legislation and resolution sponsored by Mayor and speaker increase transparency and tighten oversight to further ensure a healthy democracy. Legislation results from 2011 city lobbying commission report includes many Citizens Union recommendations.

Citizens Union Releases Report Card on Council Rules and Operations

January 19, 2010 - Hails 4-year progress in transparency but urges end to committee stipends. Report calls for number of committees to be halved and council meetings to be webcast. Asks twenty-one supportive councilmembers to vote their position and end stipends.

Statement On Senate Rules Changes New Rules A Solid Improvement

July 16, 2009 - Too soon to retire dysfunctional label, groups say, but a strong step forward.

Reform Coalition Offers Blueprint to End Senate Stalemate

June 29, 2009 - A coalition of long-time reform organizations today released the outline of their plan to end the Senate stalemate. Citizens Union, Common Cause/NY, the League of Women Voters, and NYPIRG issued their plea as the state Senate entered its fourth week of gridlock.

Improving the State Senate’s Legislative Process by Reforming its Rules and Administration

February 26, 2009 - Citizens Union commends Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith for taking some important first steps towards greater legislative rules reform through measures such as allowing debate for motions to discharge to be considered more quickly after the request is initiated and allowing for more open sponsorship of bills.