Earlier this month, I announced my retirement as Executive Director of Citizens Union. Over my career, I have had the privilege of serving the people of this city in many capacities, including as Public Advocate, Parks Commissioner, and leader of this historic organization. My time at the helm of Citizens Union has been a gratifying capstone to a career of civic service.
Some of my proudest accomplishments happened here at Citizens Union. We made our political system more accessible, launching a platform for voters to engage with city officials and a website providing voters with crucial information about municipal elections. We established Citizens Union as the leader on a host of sorely needed reforms, from the Charter Revision to election consolidation. We advocated for and won crucial legislation to increase voter participation, including pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, expanded early voting, and Ranked Choice voting for city elections.
As I leave this role, I ask you to look toward the future. Many of the advocacy battles we have undertaken during my tenure have yet to be won. There is still more work to be done to protect our democracy, make our government more efficient, and hold the powerful to account. Although I will no longer be serving as Executive Director, I look forward to remaining engaged in the fight to improve our democracy.
Best,
Betsy Gotbaum
Executive Director, Citizens Union/Citizens Union Foundation
POLICY UPDATES
Eric Adams Should No Longer Be Mayor of New York City
In the past month, it has become clear that Mayor Adams engaged in a ‘quid pro quo’ with the Trump administration to evade his upcoming trial on five counts of corruption. His actions have not only created a crisis of confidence in his ability to lead City government but also led to the resignation of more than half of his current deputy mayors. Adams’ calculated decision to put his own self-interest over the public interest is a profound moral failure and a betrayal of our local democracy. Under these circumstances, he cannot be trusted to make decisions solely for the benefit of the people of New York.
Citizens Union called on the Mayor to resign for the good of New York. If he does not, we urged Governor Hochul to begin proceedings to remove him from office. Such an action would be unprecedented, but the current situation—where millions of New Yorkers are dependent on a mayor held hostage by the whims of the Trump administration—is unsustainable.
Read our statements on the evolving crisis in City Hall, including our statement calling on Adams to resign or be removed, our statement on the quid pro quo, and our statement on the DOJ directive to drop charges against Adams.
Charter Commissions Should Strengthen Democracy and Accountability
With two charter revision commissions underway and growing public concern over City Hall scandals, now is the time to advance meaningful reforms. In a report we released this week, we outlined 14 recommendations for a better New York City Government. Some of the proposed reforms include establishing a process for removing mayors who engage in misconduct, moving city elections to even-numbered years, expanding the powers and independence of the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB), and implementing a top-two open primary election system. In this system, candidates from all parties compete, all voters participate in the primaries, and the top two candidates advance to the general election.
We also testified at two Charter Revision Commission hearings. During the hearing on housing, we expressed our disagreement with recent proposals that would transfer final decision-making authority on land use matters from the City Council to the Mayor, the City Planning Commission, or other entities. Zoning laws, which dictate how land can be used, should remain under the control of the legislative body.
At the hearing on government reform, we urged the Commission to establish a mechanism for removing the mayor due to his ongoing misconduct. We are dedicated to presenting a more detailed proposal regarding this matter in the near future.
Read our full policy report on our recommended Charter reforms here, and read our Testimony before the 2025 Charter Revision Commission, here.
WE WON! Ethics Commission Ruled Constitutional
A bright spot amidst national and local ethics turmoil – particularly given the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent actions to erode the Southern District’s independence – was a ruling by the New York State Court of Appeals that affirmed the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG). Citizens Union and other watchdog groups submitted an amicus brief to the Court supporting this position, and we applaud this thoroughly-researched and well-argued decision.
This victory for state ethics oversight will help ensure that the governor does not have undue control over the very body that ensures their conduct is ethical. It is essential for public confidence in state government that there is accountability for ethical misconduct, and that those who are regulated by the state’s ethics watchdog do not have “unfettered powers of appointment and removal,” as stated by the majority in its 4-3 decision.
Real Reform for Special Elections
Early this month, due to an impending vacancy in New York’s 21st Congressional district, special election reform was the talk of the town in Albany. State leaders introduced — and then hastily withdrew — legislation that empowered the Governor to consolidate the unusually timed contests with general elections. Amid the frenzied debate on the administration of special elections, Citizens Union sent a letter to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie providing recommendations for enacting real reform in our special election process.
If state leaders are serious about improving special elections, they should end the control of party insiders over party nominees and replace that closed-door decision with open processes like primaries. Although consolidating special elections with primary or general elections maximizes turnout, seats should not remain vacant for an extended period of time. Finally, we warned against expedited, mid-cycle changes to election rules that serve immediate political objectives.
Read the full letter here.
CU Memo: Ensuring Charter Revisions Serve the Public, not Politics
For decades, our City Charter Revision process has been vulnerable to political manipulation. Under the existing law, mayors can block ballot questions submitted by city councils and petition initiatives solely by establishing a charter revision commission, and all recent mayors have abused that power to derail referenda proposals they disapproved of.
This month, Citizens Union issued its support for proposed legislation by Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Tony Simone that would update arcane provisions of state law that enable this political gamesmanship. In a memorandum backing the bill, we review the origins of mayors’ ability to bump questions off the ballot and the benefits of establishing safeguards such as minimum timeframes. We are also backing a City Council Resolution by Council Member Lincoln Restler in support of the bill.
Read our full memorandum of support on the state legislation.
You’re Invited!
Join us on Wednesday, April 2, for our next Civic Conversation with New York State Attorney General Letitia James, moderated by Citizen Union’s Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum.
RSVP to attend here.
CU IN THE NEWS
The Legislative Gazette
Watchdog Groups: Don’t Change Election Laws Mid-Cycle
February 17, 2025
The Rush Hour, Spectrum News NY1
Watchdog group responds to federal authorities withdrawing migrant funding
February 13, 2025
New York Politico Playbook
Adams’ prayers answered (coverage of Executive Director Gotbaum’s retirement under “Making Moves” section)
February 11, 2025
City & State NY
Where do NYC’s campaign donors live?
February 10, 2025
The Daily Gazette
EDITORIAL: Don’t delay special election in 21st CD
February 10, 2025
WHAT WE’RE READING ELSEWHERE
Gothamist: NYPD misconduct complaints surge, but many cases dismissed, watchdog report finds
New York Times: Push to Drop Adams Charges Reveals a Justice Dept. Under Trump’s Sway
City and State: Public campaign finance has been a success so far, report finds