Testimonies and Bill Memos

Memo of Support: A642B/S284B, Counting “Wrong Church” affidavit ballots

March 18, 2022 - Memorandum of support for A642B (Myrie)/S284B (Carroll), an act to amend the election law, in relation to counting of affidavit ballots. This bill would require counting the votes of eligible voters who cast an affidavit ballot at an incorrect poll site but in the correct county, instead of disqualifying the entire ballot. Only votes for contests to which that individual was entitled to vote in would be counted.

Testimony before the Senate Ethics Committee on New York’s system of ethics oversight and enforcement, December 2021

December 9, 2021 - Citizen Union testifies on measures that could improve the system of ethics oversight in New York. JCOPE is not the only agency tasked with keeping our government clean, related to relevant enforcement agencies like the Attorney General, the Legislative Ethics Commission, the Inspector General, as well as the Board of Elections, including its Chief Enforcement Officer.

2019 CRC – Response to Preliminary Staff Report

May 2019 - Throughout its history, Citizens Union has supported periodic comprehensive review of the New York City Charter absent a political agenda via the appointment of an independent Charter Revision Commission.

2019 CRC Testimony – Public Advocate

March 18, 2019 - Good evening Chair Benjamin and distinguished members of the New York City Charter Revision Commission. I am Betsy Gotbaum, executive director of Citizens Union and the former New York City Public Advocate from 2002 to 2009. We are happy to see that you are holding a meeting on the Office of Public Advocate, and for giving Citizens Union and I the opportunity to share our recommendations with you.

2019 CRC Testimony – Police Accountability

March 7, 2019 - Good evening Chair Benjamin and distinguished members of the New York City Charter Revision Commission. My name is Rachel Bloom and I am the Director of Public Policy and Programs at Citizens Union. We thank you for holding this meeting on police accountability, and for giving Citizens Union the opportunity to publicly share our recommendations with you.

2018 CRC Testimony – Community Boards

June 19, 2018 - Good afternoon Chair Perales and distinguished members of the New York City Charter Revision Commission. My name is Rachel Bloom and I am the Director of Public Policy and Programs at Citizens Union. We thank you for inviting us here today and giving Citizens Union the opportunity to publicly share our recommendations on community board reforms with you.

2018 CRC Testimony – Campaign Finance

June 14 2018 - Good afternoon Chair Perales and distinguished members of the New York City Charter Revision Commission. My name is Rachel Bloom and I am the Director of Public Policy and Programs at Citizens Union. We thank you for inviting us here today and giving Citizens Union the opportunity to publicly share our recommendations on campaign finance with you.

2018 CRC Testimony – Hearing

May 7, 2018 - Good evening Chair Perales and distinguished members of the New York City Charter Revision Commission. My name is Rachel Bloom and I am the Director of Public Policy and Programs at Citizens Union. We thank you for holding this and other public hearings, and giving Citizens Union the opportunity to publicly share our recommendations with you.

Citizens Union Testimony on Int. 241 – Charter Revision Commission

March 16, 2018 - Good morning Chair Cabrera and members of the Committee on Governmental Operations. My name is Ethan Geringer-Sameth and I am the Public Policy & Program Manager at Citizens Union. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the Council proposal for Charter Revision Commission
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