Statements and Letters – Page 4

Watchdogs Urge Gov. Hochul and Legislative Leaders to Create an Independent State Ethics Commission in This Budget

February 9, 2022 - Groups back Governor Hochul’s basic “framework” of law school deans appointing ethics commissioners if there is a transparent selection process and specific measures increasing independence.

Letter to the Mayor with recommendations regarding the 2022 Districting Commission, February 2022

February 3, 2022 - Citizens Union sends a letter to Mayor Eric Adams with recommendations and proposals related to the appointment and work of the New York City Districting Commission

Citizens Union Issues Statement on Proposed Congressional Maps

February 2, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposed Congressional maps for New York State

Good government groups call the legislature to hold public hearings on amended redistricting maps

January 26, 2022 -

Letter to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams requesting a public hearing on possible reforms to the Rules of the Council 2022

January 20, 2022 - A group letter to new Council Speaker Adrienne Adams asking that she convene a public hearing on possible reforms to the Rules of the Council in the coming weeks

Citizens Union Responds to Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address

January 5, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address:

Groups Criticize the Independent Redistricting Commission’s Failure to Approve a Single Set of Maps

January 3, 2022 - Groups Criticize the Independent Redistricting Commission’s Failure to Approve a Single Set of Maps: The League of Women Voters, Citizens Union, and Reinvent Albany have submitted the following letter to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission following the Commission’s failure to approve a single set of redistricting maps for submission to the Legislature.

Statement from Citizens Union Regarding the Rejection of the 2021 Statewide Ballot Proposals

Citizens Union released the following statement in reaction to the rejection of ballot proposals 1 (Amending the Redistricting Process), 3…

Watchdogs urge City Council to hold a meaningful confirmation hearing for Board of Elections nominee

September 21, 2021 - GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS ASK COUNCIL LEADERS TO VET THE NOMINEE'S EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS TO ADMINISTER ELECTIONS

Letter to the City Council Minority Leader with recommendations regarding the 2022 Districting Commission, January 2022

January 27, 2022 - Citizens Union sends a letter to City Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli with recommendations and proposals related to the appointment and work of the New York City Districting Commission

Letter to the City Council Speaker with recommendations regarding the 2022 Districting Commission, January 2022

January 27, 2022 - Citizens Union sends a letter to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams with recommendations and proposals related to the appointment and work of the New York City Districting Commission

Letter to Legislative Leaders on Rules Reform and Legislative Activity in Remote Conditions 2020

January 4, 2021 - Group letter to the four legislative leaders urging them to make it a top priority to reform the rules governing the proceedings and operations of the legislature in order to address new challenges stemming from remote legislative work under the COVID-19 pandemic and improve public confidence in the legislative process.

With Voter Registration Brought to a Standstill Due to COVID-19, Citizens Union Calls for the State to Allow Online Voter Registration in New York City

July 6, 2020 - Citizens Union has renewed its call to allow New York City residents to register to vote online in advance of the November 2020 election.

Citizens Union Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Announcement of Executive Order on Absentee Voting

April 24, 2020 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, applauding Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement of an executive order ordering the New York State Board of Elections to send a postage paid absentee ballot application to every registered voter in the state for the upcoming June primary election

Statement from Citizens Union on the Passing of Father Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., Founding Chair, New York City Campaign Finance Board

April 1, 2020 - Citizen’s Union, New York City’s leading good government group, issued the following statement on the passing of Father Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J:

Citizens Union Reacts to Postponement of April Primary Elections

March 28, 2020— Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum reacting to the news that the primary elections scheduled for April 28 will be postponed until June 23:

Statement of Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union

February 19, 2020 - A cornerstone of our republic has always been a justice system committed to fairness, honesty and integrity. The rule of law is only as strong as the dedicated men and women who enforce it on our behalf in the U.S. Justice Department. But now, their work is under political attack by a President who thinks it appropriate to call for the prosecution of his political enemies and the protection of his political allies. If we are to keep our republic, this latest affront to our democracy cannot go unchecked and unchallenged.

Citizens Union Calls on Legislature to Reject Proposals Put Forth by the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission

December 18, 2019 - We urge the State Legislature to reconvene and reject proposals put forth by the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission

Statement Regarding New York State Campaign Finance Commission Report

The purpose of campaign finance reform is to reduce the influence of large contributions in our political system, to encourage…

Citizens Union Celebrates Passing of Ranked Choice Voting and Reforms to the Civilian Complaint Review Board

November 5, 2019 - Citizens Union is pleased that New York City voters have embraced reforms to make our city elections more democratic, and increase oversight of the police department.

Citizens Union Applauds Charter Revision Commission for Putting Ranked Choice Voting, CCRB Reforms on November Ballot

July 25, 2019 — Citizens Union, a leading good government group committed to fostering accountability, accessibility, and transparency in our government issues the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the proposals put on the ballot by the Charter Revision Commission.

Albany Passes Hsitoric Pro-Democracy Reforms, Long Championed by Citizens Union

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.

Letter to Legislative Leaders in Support of Rules Reform in the Legislature 2019

January 8, 2019 - Group letter to the four legislative leaders urging them to reform the rules governing the proceedings and operations of the legislature.

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.

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.