Statements and Letters – Page 5

Citizens Union Issues Statement in Response to 2022 State Budget Deal

April 8, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on the details of the New York State budget deal: “Governor Hochul’s first state budget presented a rare opportunity to push for meaningful ethics reform in Albany. Unfortunately, the governor and the legislature failed to create an independent ethics oversight body. The new commission designed to replace JCOPE is fatally flawed, will not have the public’s confidence and will not be able to oversee the state’s most powerful elected officials without fear or favor.

Governor and Legislature Have Failed to Create an Independent Ethics Oversight Body

April 9, 2022 - After careful review, we believe the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government created in the state budget is fatally flawed, will not have the public’s confidence and will not be able to oversee the state’s most powerful elected officials without fear or favor.

Citizens Union Slams Proposed Deal to Replace JCOPE with Another Toothless Ethics Commission

March 29, 2022 - Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum in response to news that the Governor and Legislature have reached a deal to replace JCOPE with a new commission charged with enforcing ethics and lobbying laws

Citizens Union Issues Statement on In Response to Mayor Adams’ Nominations to the NYC Districting Commission

March 7, 2022 – Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum on Mayor Eric Adams’ nominations to the New York City districting commission

Letter to the Legislature on reforming campaign finance oversight and enforcement, March 2022

March 2022 - Group letter to the State Legislature to reform campaign finance oversight in New York, particularly in regards to the work of the Chief Enforcement Counsel and its relation with the State Board of Elections

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.