January 14, 2019 - Today, the Senate and Assembly kept their promise to New Yorkers and passed historic reforms that will protect and expand voting rights in New York State. For too long, New York has had regressive voting laws that depress voter participation.
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.
August 26, 2017 14 City Council Candidates and Current Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez Preferred Historic Civic Group Declines to…
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.
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.
November 26, 2018 Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to reforming New York…
November 20, 2018 Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to reforming New York City and State government to…
November 7, 2018 - By voting in candidates with progressive platforms, voters are signaling they want real reform in New York.
October 25, 2018 Download as a PDF For Immediate Release Media Contact: Jake Oliver jake@anatgerstein.com 347 361 9983 CITIZENS UNION…
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.
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,"
September 9, 2018 - “Voter participation in New York’s primary elections is historically low,”
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.
July 1, 2018 - State Economic Development Contracts In Buffalo and Syracuse Worth Over $1 Billion Rigged
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 27, 2018 - The board of Citizens Union elected two new board members, Christopher Giglio and Cliff Chenfeld.
March 30, 2018 - On March 27th, the board of Citizens Union elected two new board members, Christopher Giglio and Cliff Chenfeld.
March 28, 2018 - Today, Citizens Union released Spending in the Shadows: Nonspecific Funding in the FY 2019 New York State Executive Budget.