Press Releases – Page 15

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.

Government Watchdog Groups Call On Legislative Ethics Commission To Investigate Monserrate Legal Defense Fund

October 29, 2009 - Allegedly a fund was created to pay Senator Monserrate’s legal bills related to his recent criminal case, as well as the pending review by a special Senate committee regarding his fitness for office in light of his conviction on misdemeanor assault charges.

Citizens Union And Common Cause/NY Applaud Court Of Appeals

September 22, 2009 - Decision upholding appointment of Lt. Governor. Groups urged Governor in early July to undertake this constitutional move to break deadlock in State Senate.

Good Government Groups Support State Senate Effort to Pass Real Ethics Reform

September 11, 2009 - See Senate amendment as necessary since it adds needed teeth to enforcement. Original bill a modest but incomplete step forward.

Garodnick, de Blasio and Citizens Union Call for Greater Civilian Handling of Police Misconduct Cases

July 29, 2009 - New Council Bill Would Improve Independence and Public Confidence in Civilian Complaint Oversight System.

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.

Gotham Gazette, a Publication of Citizens Union Foundation, Wins Second Knight News Challenge Grant To Create Councilpedia, a Local Open Government Wiki

June 18, 2009 - At its core, Councilpedia will be a wiki devoted to local elected officials. It will focus on the relationships between the 51 New York City Council members, borough presidents and citywide office holders, and their campaign donations and donors.

Citizens Union Supports Improving Mayoral Control of City Schools

June 12, 2009 - Good Government Group calls for efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency and parental participation in public education. Supports no fixed terms for pep members but proposes 90-day notice for removal.

Citizens Union Proposes Eliminating Board of Elections Urges End to Industrial Age Patronage and Fresh Start with Information Age Accountability

May 18, 2009 - Structural change to election administration aimed at reforming arcane system. Good Government Group releases a series of recommendations to improve voting and reform elections that can be made now without changing the state constitution.

Citizens Union Condemns State Budget Process

April 4, 2009 - A regrettably closed-door process turned the December Doomsday Executive Budget proposal into a "Happy Days are Here Again" budget in April.

Citizens Union Disappointed By Mta Board Vote To Increase Fares And Cut Service

March 25, 2009 - Calls for long overdue state action to prevent their implementation.

Citizens Union Supports New Revenue And Tolling Proposals To Fund The MTA

February 18, 2009 - Historic Good Government Group urges adoption of balanced package in whole because it shares the burden. Opposes Envisioned New Role for MTA Chair and Advocates Additional Measures on Public Reporting and Accountability.

Report Finds Over $94 Million Raised During 2008 State Legislative Election Cycle

February 17, 2009 - Business interests dominate campaign donations; real estate and health care industries biggest corporate campaign contributors. Civic groups call for public financing of elections and other campaign reforms.

Citizens Union Announces Its Endorsements In New York City Council Special Elections

February 13, 2009 - Historic Good-Government Organization supports Francisco Moya in Queens Council District 21, Geraldine Chapey in Queens Council District 32 and Deborah Rose in Staten Island Council District 49. Competitive contests exist in February 24th Special Election.

Testimony to the City Council Governmental Operations Committee on Election Day Lines

December 17, 2008 - Election Day Lines: Examining the Problem and Proposing Solutions

Citizens Union Urges Governor And Legislature To Enact State Budget Reforms

December 15, 2008 - Good Government Group issues recommendations to increase integrity, transparency, and efficiency of state budget process as Governor presents fiscal plan. Reform needed even more if public is to support budget decisions to deal with fiscal crisis.

Testimony provided at the Voter Assistance Commission’s Annual Meeting

December 11, 2008 - Annual Public Hearing of the NYC Voter Assistance Commission

Testimony to the City Council Governmental Operations Committee on Election Reform and Modernization

November 25, 2008 - Election Reform and Modernization: Considering Early Voting, Same-Day Registration and Electronic Voter Registration

Citizens Union Foundation Recruited 5,000 Applications From New Yorkers To Serve As Poll Workers For This Fall Election

October 31, 2009 - Good Government Group provided applications to the City Board of Elections; 40% were of college age New Yorkers, 14% were language interpreters.

Citizens Union Annouces Its Endorsements In State Legislative Contests

October 28, 2009 - Historic Good-Government Organization supports Councilmember Addabbo in Queens State Senate Race and Incumbent Queens State Senator Frank Padavan. Announces support for thirteen State Legislative Candidates in November General Election.

Citizens Union Unveils Its Own Action Center On Term Limits

October 25, 2009 - It counts twenty Council Members opposing unilateral council action. David Yassky is added to CU's list of opponents.

Citizens Union Announces Final Candidate Preferences In September Primary Election

September 4, 2009 - Supports the re-election of State Senator Martin Connor and election of John Reddy for Manhattan Surrogate.

Citizens Announces Final Candidate Preferences – 2008 Primary

September 4, 2008 - CU Supports the Re-Election of State Senator Martin Connor andElection of John Reddy for Manhattan Surrogate

Citizens Union Reaffirms Its Support For A New York State Campaign Finance Public Matching Fund Program

May 8, 2008 - Historic Good Government Group far prefers a matching program over full financing; urges Governor and State Legislature to pass meaningful campaign finance reform legislation before session ends. Good Government Group believes matching program is best use of public funds because it still allows for voters to participate in democracy by making contributions throughout the course of a campaign.