Citizens Union Announces Preferences of Three Candidates for Assembly in Competitive June Primaries
June 13, 2022 - Today, Citizens Union announced its preferences in 3 contested primary elections for State Assembly.
Watchdogs Ask Statewide Officials and Legislative Leaders to Appoint Independent Members to Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
June 8, 2022 - We write knowing that the adopting legislation in the budget sets a short time frame for appointing members to the new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (“CELG”). We urge you, as you consider the statutory requirements of “background and expertise,” to abide by the following principles
Citizens Union Responds to NYC Districting Commission’s Decision to Delay Draft Maps and Hold Additional Public Hearings
June 6, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after New York City Districting Commission Chair Dennis Walcott that draft district maps would be delayed and drawn after additional public hearings
Citizens Union Applauds Legislature for Moving Voter Registration Deadline to 10 Days Before Election Day
June 1, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after the NYS Assembly passed S2951A/A8858A which would reduce the time for mailing and receipt of voter registration applications to the Constitutional minimum of 10 days before election
Citizens Union Applauds State Senate for Taking Steps to Reform New York’s Broken Election Administration System
May 19, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum applauding the State Senate for passing a set of bills that will reform Boards of Elections throughout New York State
Citizens Union, League of Women Voters of NYS urge postponement of all primaries until Aug 23
May 2nd, 2022 - Today, Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters of NYS sent a letter to Governor Hochul and legislative leaders urging the postponement of all elections scheduled to take place in June to August 23.
Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response NYS Court of Appeals Ruling on Redistricting Map
April 27, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to the NYS Court of Appeals ruling on the state's redistricting maps
Citizens Union Files Amicus Brief Urging Court to Give Weight to Anti-Gerrymandering Provision in State Constitution
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.
Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response to Resignation of Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin
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
Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response to 2022 State Budget Deal
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.
Governor and Legislature Have Failed to Create an Independent Ethics Oversight Body
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.
Citizens Union Slams Proposed Deal to Replace JCOPE with Another Toothless Ethics Commission
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
Citizens Union Issues Statement on In Response to Mayor Adams’ Nominations to the NYC Districting Commission
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
Citizens Union Issues Report Outlining Recommendations For A Fair City Council Redistricting Process
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.
Watchdogs Urge Gov. Hochul and Legislative Leaders to Create an Independent State Ethics Commission in This Budget
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.
Citizens Union Issues Statement on Proposed Congressional Maps
February 2, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposed Congressional maps for New York State
Citizens Union Issues Statement on One Year Anniversary of January 6th Insurrection
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…
Citizens Union Congratulates Adrienne Adams on Being Elected New York City Council Speaker
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:
Citizens Union Responds to Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address
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:
Citizens Union Issues Report Outlining Public Safety and Policing Recommendations for New Mayoral Administration
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.
Statement from Citizens Union on New York City Council Bill Allowing Non-citizen Legal Residents to Vote in Municipal Elections
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:
Statement from Citizens Union Regarding the Rejection of the 2021 Statewide Ballot Proposals
Citizens Union released the following statement in reaction to the rejection of ballot proposals 1 (Amending the Redistricting Process), 3…
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Hochul for Enacting Transparency Reforms
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:
Citizens Union Announces Endorsement of Eric Adams for Mayor in 2021 General Election
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.