Citizens Union Expresses Dismay Over Eric Garner Case Calls For Widespread Reform
December 10, 2014 - Changes needed to public oversight of police misconduct and criminal justice system.
NY and NJ Elected Officials and Advocates Hold Press Conference Encouraging Governors Cuomo and Christie to Sign Historic Port Authority Reform Bills
December 9, 2014 - State Assemblymembers Jim Brennan and Amy Paulin along with New Jersey State Senator Robert Gordon and New Jersey State Assemblymember Valerie Vainieri Huttle, joined fellow legislators and advocates today to urge Governors Cuomo and Christie to sign two bi-state reform bills aiming to overhaul the Port Authority.
Citizens Union Requests Conflicts of Interest Board to Investigate Mayor de Blasio Appearance at A CWA Local 1182 Meeting in a Public School
December 2, 2014 - Citizens Union today sent a letter to the Conflicts of Interest Board (the “Board”) requesting an investigation into whether a meeting on July 14, 2014, attended by Mayor Bill de Blasio and sponsored by Local 1182 of the Communications Workers of America (“CWA”) at P.S. 66 in Brooklyn may have violated the conflicts of interest provisions of the New York City Charter.
New York City Council Enacts New Legislation to Strengthen Voter Registration, Will Help Franchise Thousands
November 25, 2014 - Voting rights coalition applauds City Council, Mayor, and Agency Leadership in expansion of City’s pro-voter law
Joint Statement on Passage of Port Authority Reform Bills
November 14, 2014 - The Port Authority owns and manages some of the most significant infrastructure assets in our region—bridges, bus facilities, tunnels, the PATH, ports, airports, and the World Trade Center site.
Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters of NYS Statement on Prop 1
November 5, 2014 - We are pleased that voters seized this once in a fifty-year opportunity to fix our state’s rigged redistricting process and end the practice of drawing districts to favor incumbents, protect majority party control, and discourage competition.
White Paper: Effects Of Partisan Gerrymandering Deepen In Upcoming Election
October 29, 2014 - New analysis shows lack of competition in 2014 election cycle: many legislators already elected without a single vote being cast.
Statement On Attorney General Schneiderman’s Announcement On Prison-Based Gerrymandering’s Continued Ban With Prop 1
October 23, 2014 - Citizens Union is pleased to hear that Attorney General Eric Schneiderman believes that Prop 1 – the proposed constitutional amendment that bans legislative maps drawn for political advantage – does not change the state’s law banning prison-based gerrymandering.
Citizens Union Announces Candidate Preferences In September Primary Elections
August 22, 2014 - Supports Challengers Leroy Comrie, Jr. and Dell Smitherman to Two Indicted State Senators.
Citizens Union Hails Mayor De Blasio’s Signing Of Laws To Put Online Important City Government Information
August 7, 2014 - Transparency measures will improve public access to government.
Governor Cuomo Has A Lot Of Explaining To Do
July 23, 2014 - Citizens Union calls upon the Governor to hold news conference to explain administration’s reported interference with Moreland commission whose members were appointed deputy state attorneys general and told to investigate all matters of corruption. Commission was formed to fight corruption and restore public trust, but NY Times account helps Erode the Public’s Trust in government.
Crime Wave In Albany Grows Higher
July 1, 2014 - Ten unethical legislators in 2013-14 is double the previous record of 5 in 2007-2008.
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.
With Dismal Turnout Expected For Today’s Federal Primary Election, Citizens Union Calls For Holding State And Federal Primaries On Same Date In June
June 24, 2014 - Good government organization reveals 31 percent drop in voter turnout in 2012 compared to earlier years when primary elections were held simultaneously.
NYS Legislature Passes Much Needed Port Authority Reform Legislation
June 18, 2014 - CU urges Governor Cuomo to sign two reform bills, putting pressure on NJ to act.
Groups Urge Nys Senate To Pass Much Needed And Comprehensive Port Authority Reform Legislation
June 17, 2014 - Reform Bill has Already Passed the NYS Assembly, and Has Identical Legislation in NJ.
Groups Urge NYS Senate To Pass Much Needed And Comprehensive Port Authority Reform Legislation
Recent scandals at Port Authority compel need for legislative action. Reform bill has already passed the NYS assembly, and has identical legislation in NJ.
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.
On NY Councilmember Ruben Wills Corruption Charges
May 7, 2014 - With the news that Councilmember Ruben Wills has been charged with twelve counts of criminal misconduct, the “drip drip” of political corruption continues unfortunately to flow in New York.
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.
Reform Groups Call On Senate, Assembly To Block Passage Of Purported Campaign Finance Reforms Contained In Budget
March 31, 2014 - There has been a virtual political crime wave at the state capital – with over 30 public officials engulfed in scandal over the past eight years.
Citizens Union Statement on Proposed Changes in the State Budget
March 29, 2014 - On proposed changes in the state budget to campaign finance, election enforcement and ethics.
Board Of Elections Kicks Aside Yet Another Campaign Finance Investigation
March 26, 2014 - Board notifies citizens union it has ended “investigation” into assemblymember it never started.
Less Voter Choice And Candidate Competition In NYS Legislative Contests Than NYC Council
March 20, 2014 - CU urges public funds matching program modeled on city system be created through state budget authorizing legislation to ensure NYS voters have greater choice and fairer elections.
Good Government Groups Webcast New York State Assembly Committee Meetings Using Smart Phones
March 19, 2014 - Webcasts provide transparency of important stage in legislative process during Sunshine Week.