Gotham Gazette Unveils Councilpedia, An Innovative Online Tool to Track Money in City Politics
February 3, 2011 - New project opens up local government activity to information sharing by New Yorkers.
Citizens Union Calls For An Independent Commission To Draw District Maps At State Senate Hearing
December 14, 2010 - Urges ending partisan gerrymandering and removing the legislative conflict of self interest in drawing district lines.
Citizens Union Report Finds 27 New York Counties Posted Sample Ballots Online Prior To Election Day
November 4, 2010 - Numerous ballot-related complaints from NYC voters on election day reveal need for this common-sense reform. Citizens Union repeats call for City Board of Elections to post sample ballots online for future elections.
Civic Groups Release Top Five Tips for Voters on Election Day Offer Voters Handy
October 30, 2010 - Troubleshooting Guide to Take Into the Polls And Solve Common Problems That Arose During the Primary.
Citizens Union Issues Recommendations On City Charter Revision Proposals On The Ballot November 2nd 2010
October 27, 2010 - Recommendations on ballot questions are part of historic Good Government Group's 100th anniversary voters directory now available online along with candidate questionnaires. Opposes question #1 reducing the term limits of city elected officials to two terms. Supports a "yes" vote on question #2 requiring disclosure of independent campaign expenditures and easing access to the ballot for candidates.
Citizens Union Endorses Harry Wilson For NYS Comptroller And Eric Schneiderman For NYS Attorney General
October 17, 2010 - Visionary and innovative approaches Make Wilson and Schneiderman best choices over capable opponents. Historic Good Government Group also endorses 13 reform-minded State Legislative Candidates in NYC Padavan, Gianaris, Addabbo and 2 challengers - Vincent Tabone and Donna Maria Caltabiano - among the 13.
New Report: New York’s Redistricting Practices Undermine Democracy Report Underpins Statewide-grassroots Effort To Build Support For Reforms Groups Urge Creation Of An Independent Redistricting Commission
October 4, 2010 The state’s Redistricting Process: The Case for Reform, examined the state’s redistricting practices and found ... Read more
Citizens Union Backs State Senator Eric Schneiderman In Democratic Primary For Attorney General
August 24, 2010 - Citizens Union today announced its support for Eric Schneiderman by "preferring" him over the four other strong and appealing candidates
Citizens Union Announces State Candidate Preferences In September Primary Elections In NYC
August 24, 2010 - In its 100th year of candidate evaluation, historic civic group supports the reelection of only six incumbent legislators. Good Government Group also supports the election of seven challengers to current incumbents, backs four candidates in open seats and passes on supporting the reelection of seven incumbent legislators.
Citizens Union Report on Special Elections In New York City Convincingly Shows Voter Turnout is Greater in Nonpartisan Elections than Partisan Elections
August 2, 2010 - Good Government Group's study reveals turnout is 57 percent higher for City Council nonpartisan special elections than partisan contests for state legislative seats. Report shatters opponents' argument that voter turnout is similar for non partisan and partisan elections. Citizens Union calls on city charter to embrace a top-two election system and begin the process of giving greater voter choice to New Yorkers.
Citizens Union Unveils 50 Specific Recommendations For City Charter Revision
June 30, 2010 - Calls for increasing avenues for participation in both elections and governing in a diverse and large city. Calls for independent budgeting for the public advocate, borough presidents, community boards and the conflicts of interest board (COIB.)
Historic Support Emerges For Redistricting Reform As Momentum Builds To End Partisan Gerrymandering
June 25, 2010 - Assembly governmental operations committee unanimously passes Gianaris bill to create an independent redistricting commission and draw fair districts. Passage follows recent approval by two committees in the State Senate as majority of Senate Democrats now support Valesky companion bill to reform redistricting as support rises and public clamors for reform.
Citizens Union Endorses David Greenfield in 2010 New York City Council Special Election
March 1, 2010 - Good-Government Organization Backs Greenfield as Best Candidate in Council District 44 Race
Citizens Union Pleased Over Announcement that CCRB Will Have Power to Prosecute Some Cases of Police Misconduct
February 19, 2010 - Move is heralded, but more independence and permanence are needed. Clear definition of work’s Scope and proper funding of CCRB are key to initiative’s success.
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.