I hope you’re enjoying the summer and staying cool.
Throughout July and August, we’ve kept busy. We came out in support of the appointment of a federal receiver to oversee New York City’s jail system. Historically, Citizens Union has supported local control, but the unprecedented situation on Rikers Island requires a different kind of authority. We are pleased that Judge Swain is considering appointing a federal receiver and will continue to monitor the efforts to reform Rikers Island.
We are preparing for an eventful fall. Our next Civic Conversation will feature New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on September 14th. On October 24th at The Metropolitan Club, we will recognize some extraordinary New Yorkers at our Gotham Greats dinner. I hope you can join us at both of these events.
You can read more about what we’ve been up to this summer in this edition of The Reformer.
Best,
Betsy Gotbaum
Executive Director, Citizens Union/Citizens Union Foundation
POLICY UPDATES
Federal Take-Over of Rikers Island
Earlier this month, we sent a letter to Chief Judge Swain of the U.S. Southern District of New York, in support of a federal takeover of Rikers Island and the NYC jail system. The full-blown humanitarian crisis on Rikers Island justifies the appointment of a federal receiver to save lives.
Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who is overseeing the case, has announced plans to hear arguments regarding a potential federal takeover of the jails. We are pleased with the Judge’s decision, and are hopeful that this is the first step in a process that will achieve meaningful reform to our jail system.
Appeals Court Orders Congressional Maps Redrawn
Earlier this month, a mid-level appellate court ordered the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the state’s congressional districts. This is the latest development in a lengthy redistricting saga that will likely come to a head at New York’s highest court in the coming months.
The current congressional district lines were drawn by a court-appointed expert in 2022. This was after the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission failed to agree on new lines, and the Court of Appeals rejected the state Legislatures attempt to draw its own maps.
As the legal proceedings continue, we want to emphasize the significance of creating fair congressional maps. The process for drawing the maps must be transparent, maximize public involvement and accurately represent the people of New York.
New Siena College Poll Found Voters Support Moving Local Elections to Even-Numbered Years
A recent Siena College poll found that New Yorkers support moving local elections to even-numbered years by more than a two-to-one ratio. The reform has nonpartisan support, with a majority of Democrats and a plurality of Republicans and Independents saying that consolidating local elections with federal or state elections will be good for New York.
The move is also supported across demographics regardless of region, ethnicity, age, or income, with the largest support for moving elections among NYC residents, Black New Yorkers, and young voters.
To read more about the benefits of this common-sense reform, check out our report Moving Municipal Elections to Even-Numbered Years.
CIVIC CONVERSATION
Join us on Thursday, September 14th, for our next Civic Conversation with New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. RSVP to attend here.
2023 GOTHAM GREATS CELEBRATION
Join us on Tuesday, October 24th, as we will hold our annual Gotham Greats Celebration at The Metropolitan Club. We are excited to come together with our valued supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of our esteemed honorees.
CU IN THE NEWS
New York Daily News
A growing chorus: With Rikers hearing nearing, more voices support receiver
August 7, 2023
NY1
Rikers monitor cites continued failures, lays out proposed timeline for receivership decision
August 7, 2023
Queens Daily Eagle
Good government group calls for Rikers receivership
August 7, 2023
New York Post
City’s war on sheds and more: Letters to the Editor
July 30, 2023
The New York Times
The Mayor Had a Photo of a Fallen Officer. Was His Story About It True?
July 6, 2023