Press Releases

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.

Citizens Union Elects New Board Members

March 27, 2018 - The board of Citizens Union elected two new board members, Christopher Giglio and Cliff Chenfeld.

Citizens Union Elects Two New Members to the Board of Directors

March 30, 2018 - On March 27th, the board of Citizens Union elected two new board members, Christopher Giglio and Cliff Chenfeld.

Citizens Union Faults State for Proposed $11.7 Billion in Unaccounted Spending

March 28, 2018 - Today, Citizens Union released Spending in the Shadows: Nonspecific Funding in the FY 2019 New York State Executive Budget.

Unjust and Ineffective

March 1, 2018 - Citizens Union has focused on holding our government accountable, read our report

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.