Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation are committed to reforming New York City and State government by fostering accountability, accessibility, transparency, honesty and the highest ethical standards. Always nonpartisan, since 1897, we have devoted ourselves to holding our government accountable and the enfranchisement of all New Yorkers.
Fighting for reform, fighting for New York.
Our Most Recent Press Releases
Watchdog Groups Call on Court of Appeals to Hear Ethics Commission Case
May 13, 2024 – Our groups, united in our belief that the law creating New York’s Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) is constitutional, are concerned that the alarming logic of the recent Appellate Court decision would create an imperial Governor who cannot be held accountable for defying the law – short of impeachment or the ballot box. This is a matter of upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in our government.
Testimony before the City Council – oversight hearings on lobbying reform
April 19, 2024 – Testimony on bills regarding prohibitions lobbying in connection with campaign-related fundraising or political consulting, the city’s post-employment restrictions, and other proposed reforms in lobbying oversight and enforcement.
Citizens Union and the Let NY Coalition calls Governor Hochul and Assembly Speaker Heastie to include election reform priorities in the 2024 state budget
March 22, 2024 – Citizens joins the Let NY Vote coalition in a letter urging the Assembly and the Governor to join the Senate in ensuring legislation to establish he elections database and join ERIC remain in the final budget
Citizens Union Responds News that Legislature Will Reject Congressional Maps
February 26, 2024 – In 2014, voters chose to enact historic reforms to create a more independent, transparent redistricting process. Unfortunately, the Legislature has worked to undermine these reforms at every turn. Now we will likely see primary elections delayed for the second consecutive cycle.
Citizens Union Supports Disqualifying Candidates Who Engaged in Insurrection from the Ballot in New York State
January 25, 2024 – Citizens Union released a statement urging the State Legislature to create a viable mechanism for disqualifying candidates under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. This issue has been raised in a number of states, including Colorado and Maine, that have disqualified former President Donald Trump from appearing on their state’s ballots. The New York State Board of Elections is meeting on February 6th to finalize the state’s ballot for the upcoming presidential primary election.
Citizens Union Supports Disqualifying Candidates Who Engaged in Insurrection from the Ballot in New York State
January 25, 2024 – Citizens Union released a statement urging the State Legislature to create a viable mechanism for disqualifying candidates under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. This issue has been raised in a number of states, including Colorado and Maine, that have disqualified former President Donald Trump from appearing on their state’s ballots. The New York State Board of Elections is meeting on February 6th to finalize the state’s ballot for the upcoming presidential primary election.
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Hochul For Vetoing Legislation Weakening the State’s Public Campaign Finance System
December 27, 2023 – The bill Governor Hochul has vetoed ran counter to the goals of the landmark program. This decision means the state’s public campaign finance program will continue to amplify the voices of everyday New Yorkers.
Citizens Union Applauds Governor Hochul For Signing Legislation To Move Local Elections To Even-Numbered Years
December 22, 2023 – Citizens Union’s statement following the Governor signing into law bill S3505B (Skoufis)/A4282A (Paulin). This marks a momentous achievement in the ongoing effort to bolster civic participation in New York. Aligning local elections with high-profile races will lead to increased voter turnout, particularly among young people and people of color.
State Ethics Commission Is Constitutional Say Civic and Watchdog Groups in Amicus Brief
December 18, 2023 – Citizens Union joins six other groups in an amicus brief for consideration to the Third Department, Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court in Cuomo v. NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. In sum, the brief underscores the compelling need for an independent statewide ethics commission in New York; identifies the failures of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE); and supports the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) appointment process.
Citizens Union Responds to Court Decision Ordering Congressional District Maps Be Redrawn
December 12, 2023 –Citizens Union releases the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum after the State of New York Court of Appeals ordered that Congressional district maps be redrawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission: