TODAY IN GOTHAM GAZETTE
Gotham Gazette, a publication of Citizens Union Foundation, brings New Yorkers smart and insightful coverage of local news and issues. Click here for today's stories.
RECENT REDISTRICTING RULING SHOWS WHY PERMANENT REFORM WAS NEEDED
Citizens Union released a statement on Friday in response to two recent court rulings - the New York State Court of Appeals unanimous ruling upholding the partisan decision of the majority in the senate to add a 63rd state senate seat, and the decision by the U.S. Department of Justice pre-clearing the senate’s legislative lines under section five of the federal Voting Rights Act. CU says that both rulings show how our laws allow partisan gerrymandering and why permanent reform was needed. 05/08/12
CITIZENS UNION REPORT SHOWS NYC COUNCIL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING PROCESS NEEDS MORE REFORM
In a press conference today Citizens Union released a report on New York City Council discretionary funding showing that funding decisions lack objective measures with politics playing too large a role, and that there is little correlation between a district's socioeconomic status and the amount of council discretionary funding it receives. The report shows for the first time what each council member got in both expense and capital funding over the past four years, and makes recommendations for reforms. 05/01/12
CITIZENS UNION JOINS FAIR ELECTION CAMPAIGN PUSHING FOR STATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Citizens Union announced today its participation in the Fair Elections campaign, a diverse coalition of good government groups, issue-advocacy organizations, community groups, unions, and business leaders united in support of achieving change to New York State’s campaign finance laws.04/18/12
CITIZENS UNION BUDGET REFORM REPORT CARD GIVES STATE AN "I" FOR "IMPROVED BUT INCOMPLETE"
Citizens Union released today its 2012 State Budget Reform Report Card giving the state a grade of "I" for "improved but incomplete." The report card reviewed the state’s adherence to elements of the 2007 budget reforms and found mixed results regarding implementation of major aspects of the 2007 reforms. The report card also pointed out where additional reforms are needed. 04/11/12
CITIZENS UNION COMMENDS AGREEMENT ON OVERSIGHT OF POLICE MISCONDUCT; RELEASES REPORT SHOWING WHY REFORM IS NEEDED
Citizens Union today commended an agreement between the City and the NYPD to allow the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to prosecute cases of police misconduct that it substantiates. CU also released a report showing how the CCRB's recommendations for police discipline are regularly downgraded by the NYPD. 03/28/12
CITIZENS UNION OPPOSES BUDGET LANGUAGE ALLOWING FOR EXECUTIVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL
Citizens Union today announced its opposition to language contained in the Governor’s proposed state budget legislation, which would give the governor authority to transfer funds between agencies or programs without legislative approval. In its position statement, CU provided alternative means of implementing the goals of creating greater efficiencies and consolidations in state government. 03/23/12
GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS CALL ON ALBANY TO USE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO OPEN UP STATE GOVERNMENT
At a press conference in Albany today, Citizens Union joined with other leading civic groups to call on the governor, legislature, attorney general and comptroller to use the explosion in affordable information technology to make New York State government more transparent, responsive and accountable. The groups issued a report outlining specific recommendations on how to do this. 03/22/12
WITH TODAY'S SPECIAL ELECTION, ONE THIRD OF STATE LEGISLATURE WAS FIRST ELECTED BY SPECIAL ELECTION
Citizens Union released today updated research showing that with today's Special Election for five state legislative seats the number of legislators first elected in a special election has increased to 30 percent - nearly a third of all state legislative seats. Special elections in New York for state legislature are filled through low-turnout special elections, after the Republican and Democratic parties nominate their candidates in closed-door proceedings rather than through a competitive primary election by the voters. Citizens Union calls upon the State Legislature and Governor to support two reform bills that allow voters greater choice of candidates. Read the press release. 03/20/12
STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES BILL ON REDISTRICTING REFORM
Early this morning the state legislature passed a a constitutional amendment and accompanying statute to enact permanent, structural redistricting reform. Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters NYS commend the governor, legislative leaders and the legislature for this achievement. Read the press release. 03/15/12
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REFORM REDISTRICTING
Citizens Union and the Leauge of Women Voters NYS today released a set of Frequently Asked Questions to clarify the provisions of the constitutional amendment released earlier this week by the legislative leaders to create a permanent independent redistricting commission. 03/14/12
CITIZENS UNION AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SUPPORT JUST RELEASED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON REDISTRICTING
Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters New York State announced in a press conference today their support for the constitutional amendment released by the legislature late last night that will finally put an end to New York’s partisan redistricting process and create permanent structural reform for decades to come. More details. 03/12/12
NATIONAL REDISTRICTING EXPERTS CALL ON GOVERNOR TO USE VETO THREAT TO ACHIEVE PERMANENT REDISTRICTING REFORM
In a press briefing today, leading redistricting experts from across the country voiced their support for Citizens Union’s call for Governor Cuomo to use his veto threat to achieve permanent redistricting reform through a constitutional amendment rather than opting for an actual veto that would not necessarily achieve any lasting reform. 02/28/12
FORMER STATE AG AND CUF PRESIDENT ROBERT ABRAMS OUTLINES STRONGEST PATH TO REDISTRICTING REFORM
In a press conference today, former State Attorney General and Citizens Union Foundation President Robert Abrams outlined the legal framework to achieve permanent redistricting reform through a constitutional amendment. 02/24/12
IN LETTER TO CUOMO CU URGES GOVERNOR TO USE VETO POWER TO ACHIEVE PERMANENT REDISTRICTING REFORM
In a letter to Governor Cuomo, Citizens Union urged the governor to use his threat to veto gerrymandered district lines to achieve two important goals: secure lasting and permanent redistricting
reform through statutory change and a constitutional amendment; and pursue
meaningful changes to this year's lines by holding direct negotiations with the
legislature. Read the release. 02/23/12
GERRYMANDERED DISTRICT MAPS ARE THE INEVITABLE RESULT OF A POLITICIZED PROCESS
In testimony today in Manhattan before LATFOR, the state's task force on redistricting, the state's task force on redistricting, Citizens Union called on LATFOR to improve its maps by reducing the overall population deviation used, drawing districts that better adhere to communities of interest, respecting boundaries of cities and counties, and creating opportunities for minorities to elect candidates of their choice, rather than blatantly manipulating district size and shape to maintain the majority parties' grip on power.02/02/12
PROPOSED REDISTRICTING MAPS FOR STATE LEGISLATURE FAIL TO ADHERE TO OBJECTIVE CRITERIA
Citizens Union testified in Albany today to the legislative task force responsible for drawing district lines, LATFOR, noting that the proposed lines fail to adhere to reform principles to provide fairer maps. The testimony noted that counties and cities are divided unnecessarily, and that districts are far from compact and fail to protect communities of interest. The maps also paired minority legislators against each other, while preserving the districts of incumbent majority members. CU also made clear to LATFOR that it would ask Governor Cuomo to veto these lines if they are not changed to be fair and reflect the criteria outlined in his redistricting reform legislation. 01/31/12
ReShapeNY CALLS FOR IMPARTIAL REDISTRICTING PROCESS BEFORE 2012 MAPS ARE FINALIZED
As state legislators return to Albany, ReShapeNY today released a statement calling on them to honor their commitments to reform the redistricting process before 2012 legislative districts are finalized. 01/11/12
CITIZENS UNION APPLAUDS GOVERNOR CUOMO'S SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
In a statement yesterday, Executive Director Dick Dadey praised Governor Cuomo for announcing in his State of the State speech strong support for campaign finance reform, long seen by CU as fundamental to changing the culture in Albany. However, redistricting reform must be realized, too. 01/05/12
COURT UPHOLDS CITY CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW
Citizens Union applauded
the Second Circuit of the US Court of Appeals today for upholding
crucial doing business restrictions in the city's campaign finance law.
The law limits contributions of those who do business with the city,
exempts these contributions from receiving a public match, and bans
contributions from LLCs and LLPs. CU had submitted an amicus brief supporting the city law in 2010. 12/21/11
CITIZENS UNION MAKES CASE FOR REDISTRICTING REFORM WITH COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
With time slowly running out to pass redistricting reform before the 2012 district maps are drawn, Citizens Union released today an in-depth report demonstrating how decades of partisan gerrymandering has undermined the workings of our democracy and governance in New York State. Download the executive summary, the body of the report, and the appendices. 11/21/11
CITIZENS UNION TESTIFIES TO CFB ON RULES FOR DISCLOSURE OF INDEPENDENT POLITICAL SPENDING
Citizens Union testified today to the NYC Campaign Finance Board on their draft regulations for disclosure of independent expenditures. The testimony supported robust disclosure of independent political spending that seeks to influence voters during campaign season, and made recommendations to clarify the draft rules. Citizens Union first recommended the disclosure of independent political spending to the City Charter Revision Commission in 2010, and the voters approved the Commission’s recommendations on this issue during the 2010 General Election. The Campaign Finance Board is now developing the rules to implement the new law. 10/27/11
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