April 24, 2022 - Citizens Union filed an amicus brief in the matter of Harkenrider v. Hochul, the case challenging the newly drawn congressional and legislative district maps in New York, which is now before the New York Court of Appeals. Citizens Union joined the Campaign Legal Center in filing this brief.
April 12, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the news that Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has resigned
April 8, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the details of the New York State budget deal: “Governor Hochul’s first state budget presented a rare opportunity to push for meaningful ethics reform in Albany. Unfortunately, the governor and the legislature failed to create an independent ethics oversight body. The new commission designed to replace JCOPE is fatally flawed, will not have the public’s confidence and will not be able to oversee the state’s most powerful elected officials without fear or favor.
April 9, 2022 - After careful review, we believe the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government created in the state budget is fatally flawed, will not have the public’s confidence and will not be able to oversee the state’s most powerful elected officials without fear or favor.
March 29, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to news that the Governor and Legislature have reached a deal to replace JCOPE with a new commission charged with enforcing ethics and lobbying laws
March 7, 2022 – Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on Mayor Eric Adams’ nominations to the New York City districting commission
February 22, 2022 — Citizens Union today issued a report outlining measures to ensure a fair City Council redistricting process. Fair and Open City Council Redistricting recommends the city appoint City Council redistricting commissioners who will adopt expansive anti-gerrymandering criteria, ensure transparency and have not served in an elected office for the past five years.
February 9, 2022 - Groups back Governor Hochul’s basic “framework” of law school deans appointing ethics commissioners if there is a transparent selection process and specific measures increasing independence.
February 2, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposed Congressional maps for New York State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2022 Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, (347) 361-9983 New York, N.Y. (January 6, 2022) – Citizens Union releases the…
January 5, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum congratulating Adrienne Adams on her election as Speaker of the New York City Council:
January 5, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address:
New York, N.Y. (December 23, 2021)— Citizens Union, New York’s preeminent good government group, today released Public Safety and Policing in New York City: Recommendations to the New Mayor, a report outlining recommendations for the incoming Mayoral administration designed to promote public safety and make the NYPD more accountable and responsive. The report builds on Citizens Union’s comprehensive Agenda for Police Reform to make the NYPD more transparent and accountable, which the group released in March. You can read that report here.
December 9, 2021 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the New York City Council passing legislation that will allow non-citizen legal residents to vote in municipal elections:
Citizens Union released the following statement in reaction to the rejection of ballot proposals 1 (Amending the Redistricting Process), 3…
October 28, 2021 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to reforms announced today by Governor Kathy Hochul that will increase transparency and accountability in state government:
October 15, 2021 - Citizens Union, New York's pre-eminent, non-partisan good government group, today announced its endorsement of Eric Adams for Mayor in the 2021 general election in New York City. Citizens Union also today announced its endorsements of Tony Avella (City Council District 19, Northeast Queens) and Sal Albanese (City Council District 50, Mid-Island Staten Island) in contested City Council races in the 2021 general election.
October 13, 2021 - Citizens Union Board Chair Randy Mastro and Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum today announced Citizens Union’s recommendations on five proposals New York State voters will see on their ballots in this fall’s election.
October 7, 2021 - Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the report released by the Department of Investigation detailing Mayor de Blasio’s misuse of public resources for political and personal business
September 21, 2021 - GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ASK COUNCIL LEADERS TO VET THE NOMINEE'S EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS TO ADMINISTER ELECTIONS
August 25, 2021 - Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum congratulating Governor Kathy Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin on their new positions:
August 13, 2021 - Over the past decades, New Yorkers have seen a seemingly endless parade of scandals, corruption and abuse of power that has forced out two former Governors, two Senate leaders, a state Attorney General, an Assembly Speaker and a state Comptroller, among others.
August 3, 2021 - Citizens Union released the following statement from Chair Randy Mastro and Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in reaction to the findings of the Attorney General's investigation into allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo:
July 19, 2021 - Citizens Union released a detailed analysis of the June primary elections in New York City, examining the impact of Ranked Choice Voting. The analysis found that Ranked Choice Voting gave more voters a say in elections, with fewer votes “wasted” on candidates who fell well short of winning their races. The analysis also found that voter turnout increased; voters embraced Ranked Choice Voting and navigated the system well; and the number of women running, and the number of women and people of color winning increased. These benefits were seen throughout the city.