Press Releases

Citizens Union Critiques Mayor de Blasio’s Influence on the Charter Revision Commission Process

February 21, 2018 - Citizens Union delivered a letter on Friday, February 16th, to Mayor de Blasio’s office in City Hall, critical of the manner in which the Mayor is approaching the creation of a Charter Revision Commission.

Assure Independence

February 21, 2018 - Citizens Union believes pressure from the Mayor’s office for the Commission to pursue specific reforms on the New York City Charter, directly conflicts with the responsibilities of a Charter Revision Commission.

Citizens Union Welcomes New Executive Director, Betsy Gotbaum

February 1, 2018 - Citizens Union is pleased to announce the arrival of its new Executive Director, Betsy Gotbaum, former New York City Public Advocate and longtime ally of good government.

Citizens Union Welcomes New Executive Director

February 1, 2018 - Citizens Union is pleased to announce the arrival of its new Executive Director, Betsy Gotbaum, former New York City Public Advocate and longtime ally of good government.

Year Of “Albany On Trial” Starts With Former Top Aide To Governor Cuomo And Big Political Donors Facing Bribery And Extortion Charges

January 22, 2018 - A series of major government corruption trials begin today with former executive deputy secretary to Governor Cuomo, Joseph Percoco and top political contributors to the governor facing bribery and extortion charges.

Good Government Groups, and Other Legislators Call on Governor Cuomo to Fund Early Voting in the Fiscal 2018-2019 Executive Budget

January 9, 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 Calls for Special Election Reform

January 5, 2018 - Citizens Union is pleased the needed special election to fill 11 seats in the State Legislature has been scheduled by Governor Cuomo. We maintain that critical reforms need to be put into place, especially since special elections have the lowest voter turnout rates of any elections in New York. New Yorkers are both unable to participate in the process of nominating special election candidates and are not turning out to essentially ratify the choices of party leaders.

Citizens Union Calls for Incumbent District Attorneys and District Attorney Candidates to Not Accept Campaign Contributions from Lawyers with Pending Matters

October 26, 2017 - This week, Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union, sent letters to the District Attorneys of New York City, on behalf of the board.

Citizens Union Announces Endorsements for 2017 NYC General Election Contests

September 11, 2017 - Citizens Union today announced its endorsements for citywide and City Council contests for the 2017 New York City general election.

Citizens Union Condemns President Trump’s Remarks Concerning Charlottesville Violence

August 16, 2017 - Since its inception 120 years ago, Citizens Union, New York's pre-eminent non-partisan good government group committed to uniting New Yorkers to build a better democracy, has focused on demanding more of our local government and local elected officials.

Civic Groups Launch Campaign Supporting New York State Constitutional Convention

Click here to join the Citizens Union Constitutional Convention email list and stay up-to-date on the campaign. Click here to view…

Support Continued Mayoral Control of NYC Public Schools

For Immediate Release June 15, 2017 Priscilla Grim 347-871-7695 Citizens Union Calls for the Governor and State Legislature to Enact…

Endorsements for 2017 NYC General Election Contests

June 1, 2017 - For the first time in more than 50 years, Citizens Union, by a unanimous vote of its governing board, declined to support any of the candidates running for Mayor.

Spending in the Shadows Media Advisory

May 25th, 2017 - Citizens Union will announce the latest findings of the annual Spending in the Shadows report. This report illuminates $13 billion in nonspecific lump sum funding “pots” found in the New York FY 2018 Enacted Budget.

Civic Groups Hail New York State Assembly Passage of Package of Comprehensive Voting Reforms

May 17, 2017 - Five good government groups applauded the New York State Assembly’s passage of a package of nine bills aimed to make voting easier by removing barriers that actually make it difficult for voters to cast their ballots.

Citizens Union Releases Spending in the Shadows Report

March 21, 2017 - There is little, if any, public disclosures in reporting on how these funds are eventually spent, involving whom, and what elected officials are involved.

Decision Not To Prosecute Does Not Give Green Light To Mayor To Conduct Business as Usual

March 16, 2017 - Charges will not be filed against the Mayor or his associates related to the various investigations into his fundraising activities is a double edged sword.

2016 Press Releases

Citizens Union Files Historic Federal Lawsuit Against State of New York and Governor, December 13, 2016 Citizens Union Calls on…

Citizens Union Files Historic Federal Lawsuit Against State Of New York And Governor

December 13, 2016 - Will fight a law designed to chill free speech and silence government critics by limiting contributions To charitable nonprofits working to educate the public.

Governor’s Words On Ethics Reform Again Welcomed

November 16, 2016 - Action, Not Words, Are Needed to Prevent the Corruption in our State Capitol.

Commission Failed In Not Increasing State Lawmakers Compensation

November 15, 2016 - Measures are needed to prevent corruption but salary should not be part of a quid pro quo negotiation.

Citizens Union Report Finds Nonspecific Discretionary “Lump Sum Funds” Persist & Grow In State Budget

September 29, 2016 - Citizens Union released the latest edition of the budget report "Spending in the Shadows."

Citizens Union Announces Candidate Preferences In September 2016 Primary Elections

September 1, 2016 - Issues preference for 4 incumbents, 2 challengers, 5 open seat candidates and 4 no preferences.

Citizens Union Proposes City Law To Regulate New Breed Of Elected Official Formed And Affiliated Nonprofit Organizations

July 6, 2016 - Good government organization calls upon mayor de blasio and council speaker mark-viverito to enact legislation requiring such nonprofits be subject to the jurisdiction of the city’s campaign finance board. Law would require groups to register, disclose activity, limit contribution size from those with business before the city, and forbid fundraising by elected official. Law needed to curb return of “pay-to-play” culture of corruption at city hall where big money poses threat to honest government decision-making. Good government group also releases letter sent to conflicts of interest board asking if recent declaration that certain specific mayoral consultants are “agents of the city” should they be required to file financial disclosure statements.

Transparency Failure

City Clerk's office fails to create lobbying transparency database required by 2013 law. Clerk misses December 17, 2015, deadline by 1…

Subscribe to our mailing list