Press Releases

May 19, 2002 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the State Senate for passing a set of bills that will reform Boards of Elections throughout New York State

May 2nd, 2022 - Today, Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters of NYS sent a letter to Governor Hochul and legislative leaders urging the postponement of all elections scheduled to take place in June to August 23.

April 24, 2022 - Citizens Union filed an amicus brief in the matter of Harkenrider v. Hochul, the case challenging the newly drawn congressional and legislative district maps in New York, which is now before the New York Court of Appeals. Citizens Union joined the Campaign Legal Center in filing this brief.

April 12, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the news that Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has resigned

April 8, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the details of the New York State budget deal: “Governor Hochul’s first state budget presented a rare opportunity to push for meaningful ethics reform in Albany. Unfortunately, the governor and the legislature failed to create an independent ethics oversight body. The new commission designed to replace JCOPE is fatally flawed, will not have the public’s confidence and will not be able to oversee the state’s most powerful elected officials without fear or favor.

April 9, 2022 - After careful review, we believe the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government created in the state budget is fatally flawed, will not have the public’s confidence and will not be able to oversee the state’s most powerful elected officials without fear or favor. 

March 29, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to news that the Governor and Legislature have reached a deal to replace JCOPE with a new commission charged with enforcing ethics and lobbying laws

March 7, 2022 – Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on Mayor Eric Adams’ nominations to the New York City districting commission

February 9, 2022 - Groups back Governor Hochul’s basic “framework” of law school deans appointing ethics commissioners if there is a transparent selection process and specific measures increasing independence.

February 2, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposed Congressional maps for New York State

January 26, 2022 -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2022 Contact: Jake Oliver, [email protected], (347) 361-9983 New York, N.Y. (January 6, 2022) – Citizens Union releases the…

January 5, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum congratulating Adrienne Adams on her election as Speaker of the New York City Council:

January 5, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address:

December 9, 2021 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the New York City Council passing legislation that will allow non-citizen legal residents to vote in municipal elections:

Citizens Union released the following statement in reaction to the rejection of ballot proposals 1 (Amending the Redistricting Process), 3…

October 28, 2021 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to reforms announced today by Governor Kathy Hochul that will increase transparency and accountability in state government:

October 13, 2021 - Citizens Union Board Chair Randy Mastro and Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum today announced Citizens Union’s recommendations on five proposals New York State voters will see on their ballots in this fall’s election. 

October 7, 2021 - Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the report released by the Department of Investigation detailing Mayor de Blasio’s misuse of public resources for political and personal business

September 21, 2021 - GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ASK COUNCIL LEADERS TO VET THE NOMINEE'S EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS TO ADMINISTER ELECTIONS

August 13, 2021 - Over the past decades, New Yorkers have seen a seemingly endless parade of scandals, corruption and abuse of power that has forced out two former Governors, two Senate leaders, a state Attorney General, an Assembly Speaker and a state Comptroller, among others.