Press Releases

Citizens Union Applaud’s Governor Cuomo’s Pro-Democracy Agenda

December 17, 2018 - Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to reforming New York City and State government to foster accountability, accessibility, and transparency, issues the following statement on Governor Cuomo's 2019 agenda.

Citizens Union of the City of New York Announces Candidate Preferences for New York City Offices in September 2017 Primary Elections

August 26, 2017 14 City Council Candidates and Current Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez Preferred Historic Civic Group Declines to…

Citizens Union Comments on NYS Compensation Committee Recommendations

December 11, 2018 - In order to attract the best, brightest, and most independent to public service, elected officials need to be compensated fairly for the work they do.

Citizens Union Statement on Sentencing of Syracuse Developer in Buffalo Billions Scandal

December 7, 2018 - "The charges brought against Joseph Gerardi speak to a culture of corruption in Albany and the need for a serious assessment of New York State’s ethics laws. Mr. Gerardi's conviction and sentencing, and that of top state officials in recent years, should serve as a reminder to lawmakers that it is time for Albany to be serious about ethics reform.

Citizens Union Reacts to Historic Senate Leadership Election

November 26, 2018 Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to reforming New York…

Statement from Citizens Union on Dismissal of Commissioner Mark Peters

November 20, 2018 Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to reforming New York City and State government to…

Citizens Union Reacts to 2018 General Election Results

November 7, 2018 - By voting in candidates with progressive platforms, voters are signaling they want real reform in New York.

Citizens Union Announces Positions on Ballot Proposals for 2018 General Election

October 25, 2018 Download as a PDF For Immediate Release Media Contact: Jake Oliver [email protected] 347 361 9983 CITIZENS UNION…

2018 General Election Voters Directory Press Release

October 19, 2018 - After undertaking a rigorous evaluation of 17 candidates for state office, the good government group endorsed Andrew Cuomo for Governor, Letitia James for Attorney General, Thomas DiNapoli for Comptroller, and Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie and Andrew Gounardes for state Senate.

CU Reacts to Charges Brought Against Assemblymember Joseph Errigo

October 11, 2018 - "The charges brought yesterday against Assemblyman Joseph Errigo speak to a culture of corruption in Albany, where lobbyists and powerful interests can literally purchase lawmakers and legislation to suit their needs. This corruption is especially prevalent when it comes to decision making around economic development, and it should come as no surprise that nefarious interests looking to take advantage of the system are seeking to muddy the waters of oversight over huge sums of taxpayer dollars,"

Citizens Union Reminds New Yorkers to Vote in the Primary Elections on September 13

September 9, 2018 - “Voter participation in New York’s primary elections is historically low,”

Candidate Preferences in September 2018 Primary Elections

August 30, 2018 - After undertaking a rigorous evaluation of 35 candidates for state office, the good government group “preferred” Andrew Cuomo for Governor, Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General, and challengers in all but two legislative races with an incumbent running.

Transparency Cannot Wait

July 1, 2018 - State Economic Development Contracts In Buffalo and Syracuse Worth Over $1 Billion Rigged

As Massive Bid Rigging Trial Gets Underway Watchdogs Call On Assembly Speaker Heastie to Stop Stalling and Allow Vote on Database of Deals and Comptroller’s Procurement Integrity Act

June 18, 2018 - State Economic Development Contracts In Buffalo and Syracuse Worth Over $1Billion Rigged. Bills that would increase transparency of state business subsidies and fairness of economic development contracts have already passed State Senate 62-0 and 60-2.

Fund Early Voting

June 11, 2018 - One day after being appointed Ranking Democratic Member of the New York State Senate Elections Committee, Senator Brian Kavanagh today joined with fellow legislators and advocates to urge Governor Andrew Cuomo to fully fund early voting in the Fiscal 2018-2019 Executive Budget.

Citizens Union condemns white supremacists and neo-nazis

June 10, 2018 - Yesterday, Mr. President was a day that will live in infamy. Your words and actions at yesterday's press conference were not only disturbing; they were repugnant and reprehensible.

City & State Elected Officials, Civil Rights, Good Government & Community Groups, & New Yorkers Impacted by Police Brutality Call for Repeal of State Police Secrecy Law That is One of Worst in Nation

June 8, 2018 - Group condemns NYPD’s misuse of state law 50-a with frequently changing and new interpretations, urge Mayor de Blasio to support concrete policy reform that repeals state law.

Progressive Groups, Government and Budget Watchdogs Call On Assembly Speaker Heastie to Allow Vote on Database of Deals and Comptroller’s Procurement Integrity Act

June 7, 2018 - Bills have already passed State Senate 62-0 and 60-2 Would increase transparency of state business subsidies and fairness of economic development contracts.

Watchdog Groups Applaud Senate for Passing Bills to Increase the Transparency and Accountability of State Economic Development Programs

May 9, 2018 - Good government and fiscal watchdog groups commend the Senate for passing a package of bills intended to improve the transparency and accountability of the state’s multitude of economic development programs.

Appoint the Next Attorney General Outside of the Political Clubhouse

May 8, 2018 - As New York now once again faces a vacancy in the office of a top statewide elected official, Citizens Union urges the New York State Legislature to appoint an independent, professional and respected lawyer to become New York's Attorney General, with the law enforcement, government regulatory and litigation experience required to do the job. Whoever is appointed should come from the top ranks of the legal community, not the political clubhouse.

Citizens Union Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 181 Restoring Voting Rights to People on Parole

April 19, 2018 - Citizens Union commends Governor Cuomo for signing Executive Order 181, restoring the right to vote to the tens of thousands of New Yorkers currently on parole. Denying the right to vote to New Yorkers who are living and working in their communities is unjust.