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.
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.
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.
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.
Citizens Union Files Historic Federal Lawsuit Against State of New York and Governor, December 13, 2016 Citizens Union Calls on…
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.
November 16, 2016 - Action, Not Words, Are Needed to Prevent the Corruption in our State Capitol.
November 15, 2016 - Measures are needed to prevent corruption but salary should not be part of a quid pro quo negotiation.
September 29, 2016 - Citizens Union released the latest edition of the budget report "Spending in the Shadows."
September 1, 2016 - Issues preference for 4 incumbents, 2 challengers, 5 open seat candidates and 4 no preferences.
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.
City Clerk's office fails to create lobbying transparency database required by 2013 law. Clerk misses December 17, 2015, deadline by 1…
August 2016 - Citizens Union (CU) urges the enactment of laws and adoption of new rules and regulations that will strengthen the accountability of the New York Police Department to the public and consequently improve the relationship between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the public.
February 29, 2016 - Legislature expected to add its own discretionary pots as it did last year when it added 30 pots totalling $300 million.
October 9, 2015 - Increased Regulation of Independent Spending Needed at State Level.
September 18, 2015 - Johnson empowers the Bronx democratic party to anoint next DA and ignore voters.
July 27, 2015 - We urge Governor Cuomo to sign two commonsense bills that strengthen the state’s Freedom of Information Law. The State Department of State’s Committee on Open Government recommended both bills.
July 24, 2015 - With state senators Thomas Libous and John Sampson convicted of corruption, the number forced from office crosses 31 since 1999.
June 26, 2015 - Urge governor, legislative leaders, to convene special session.
June 18, 2015 - Substance represents an appealing and significant reform step.
June 17, 2015 - Instant runoff system will increase participation and save NYC at least $13 million.
June 15, 2015 - Urge Governor Cuomo to sign S.1531 (Ranzenhofer) & A. 114 (Buchwald)
June 3, 2015 - Argues Lasting Mayoral Authority Needed to End Permanently the Cyclical Political Fight Over NYC Control of Its Own Schools.
May 27, 2015 - Special Election Results Released Online in Machine-Readable Form for First Time.
May 20, 2015 - New York's leading reform organizations today urged Governor Cuomo and the legislative leaders to make ethics reform a top end-of-session priority.