June 6, 2011 - With the crime wave of public corruption in our state government having tripled in the past six years, the formal announcement today by Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Skelos that an agreement exists on a broad ethics package is welcomed news.
May 27, 2011 - Citizens Union identifies 15 Assembly and 6 State Senate Districts with Asian Americans equal to or exceeding 20 percent of the population.
May 11, 2011 - Reforms would limit disproportionate influence of lobbyists also involved in political campaigns and money raising. Good Government Group urges restrictions on public funds for political candidates connected to lobbyists. Fourteen recommendations to be formally presented at city lobbying commission tonight also include moving oversight and enforcement from the city clerk's office to the campaign finance board.
April 6, 2011 - Campaign unveils legal memo by respected international law firm exposing false assertions. Cuomo bills gain overwhelming majority support in Assembly from both Democratic and Republican conferences with 89 cosponsors.
March 23, 2011 - Urges judges be given discretion to deny automatic pension benefits to those officials convicted of public corruption. Calls upon state legislature and Governor to make pension forfeiture part of ethics reform package.
March 14, 2011 - Nine distinguished New Yorkers lead call for change including Harry Wilson, Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, John Avlon, Gerry Benjamin, Grace Lyu-Volkhausen and Lillian Rodríguez López, and former elected officials from both parties - Robert Abrams, Ed Koch and Frank Padavan.
March 3, 2011 - Over half the chamber is now supporting Gov Cuomo's redistricting bill, introduced by Silver. Duo calls on Senate Majority Leader Skelos to honor pledge to enact redistricting reform in time for 2012 election.
February 14, 2011 - Crime wave is accelerating: number of legislators who left in the past six years because of ethical and criminal misconduct has tripled over the previous six years.
February 3, 2011 - New project opens up local government activity to information sharing by New Yorkers.
December 14, 2010 - Urges ending partisan gerrymandering and removing the legislative conflict of self interest in drawing district lines.
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.
October 30, 2010 - Troubleshooting Guide to Take Into the Polls And Solve Common Problems That Arose During the Primary.
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.
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.
October 4, 2010 The state’s Redistricting Process: The Case for Reform, examined the state’s redistricting practices and found ... Read more
August 24, 2010 - Citizens Union today announced its support for Eric Schneiderman by "preferring" him over the four other strong and appealing candidates
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.
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.
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.)
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.
March 1, 2010 - Good-Government Organization Backs Greenfield as Best Candidate in Council District 44 Race
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.
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.
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.
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.