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.
October 29, 2014 - New analysis shows lack of competition in 2014 election cycle: many legislators already elected without a single vote being cast.
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.
August 22, 2014 - Supports Challengers Leroy Comrie, Jr. and Dell Smitherman to Two Indicted State Senators.
August 7, 2014 - Transparency measures will improve public access to government.
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.
July 1, 2014 - Ten unethical legislators in 2013-14 is double the previous record of 5 in 2007-2008.
June 25, 2014 - Districts to receive near equal amounts of expense funds and equal capital funds.
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.
June 18, 2014 - CU urges Governor Cuomo to sign two reform bills, putting pressure on NJ to act.
June 17, 2014 - Reform Bill has Already Passed the NYS Assembly, and Has Identical Legislation in NJ.
Recent scandals at Port Authority compel need for legislative action. Reform bill has already passed the NYS assembly, and has identical legislation in NJ.
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 29, 2014 - On proposed changes in the state budget to campaign finance, election enforcement and ethics.
March 26, 2014 - Board notifies citizens union it has ended “investigation” into assemblymember it never started.
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.
March 19, 2014 - Webcasts provide transparency of important stage in legislative process during Sunshine Week.
March 18, 2014 - Will provide transparency of important stage in legislative process during sunshine week.
March 4, 2014 - Citizens Union Foundation hires decidenyc.com founder to lead its pioneering watchdog journalism publication.
February 18, 2014 - Cuomo must stand firm and ensure comprehensive reform is passed in this year’s budget.
February 4, 2014 - Most New Yorkers will no longer have to squint or use a magnifying glass to read their election ballot when they vote. The City Board of Elections today voted to limit the number of required languages on voters’ ballots to three – down from as many as five in previous elections – paving the way for increasing the font size of candidates’ names and removing unnecessary clutter from the ballot.
January 29, 2014 - Release in advance of tonight’s civic conversation will begin civic dialogue on reform options for new administration.