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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. CITIZENS UNION, SENATOR SERRANO, ASSEMBLYMEMBER GALEF AND OTHER GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUPS UNVEIL MEMBER ITEMS REFORM LEGISLATION Citizens Union participated in a press conference with Senator Jose Serrano, Assemblymember Sandy Galef, NYPIRG and the League of Women Voters/N.Y.S. to announce the introduction of legislation in both houses that will reform the way member items, or discretionary funds, are distributed as well as increasing transparency and accountability regarding the use of public funds. Citizens Union played a crucial role in drafting the legislation, which will create a pre-clearance process for organizations seeking funding and require for regular reporting regarding the use of funds. 3/9/10 CITIZENS UNION URGES GREATER HOME RULE ON CITY CHARTER REVISION Citizens Union testified to the Assembly Cities Committee on legislation related to the City’s Charter Revision Process, supporting greater home rule for New York City regarding its ability to determine the formation and membership of charter revision commissions. The testimony also addressed a separate piece of legislation which would eliminate the ability of referenda from mayoral charter revision commissions to “bump” other referenda, as proposed by the voters or the City Council, off the ballot. . 3/5/10 CITIZENS UNION 2010 STATE AND CITY POLICY AGENDAS Citizens Union's 2010 State and City Policy Agendas are now available. The 2010 CU State Policy Agenda contains Citizens Union's reform goals at the state level, including redistricting reform, election reform, campaign finance reform, government reform, judicial reform, budget reform, and legislative rules reform. The 2010 CU City Policy Agenda contains our recommendations in the areas of government accountability and oversight, election reform, campaign finance reform, city council reform, and government performance and functioning. 3/2/10 CITIZENS UNION ENDORSES GREENFIELD IN BROOKLYN COUNCIL DISTRICT 44 SPECIAL ELECTION Citizens Union announced its support for David Greenfield running in the special election in Council District 44 in Brooklyn. The seat was vacated by former Councilmember Simcha Felder who left to take a position in the Comptroller's office. Greenfield is a thoughtful and experienced candidate and if elected CU believes he will be a strong representative for his district. Candidates responses to CU's questionnaire for this race can be viewed online. 2/26/10 CITIZENS UNION HERALDS ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CCRB WILL HAVE POWER TO PROSECUTE SELECT CASES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT Citizens Union commends the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) and New York Police Department for reaching an agreement to begin a process of allowing the CCRB to prosecute some cases of police misconduct before the Police Department's own Administrative Law Judges. Citizens Union called for the CCRB to fully assume this responsibility in 2008 and while the organization still believes more can be done to reach this goal and create a more independent CCRB, sees this partial change in policy as a positive step forward. 2/19/10 CITIZENS UNION URGES COUNCIL TO SAVE NEW YORK TAXPAYERS $500,000 AND ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AWARDING OF COUNCIL STIPENDS Citizens Union launched "COUNCIL LULU WATCH," a new online tracking tool that reports on what each of the 51 members of the City Council is doing with his or her council stipend, or "lulu." In a press release announcing the tool Citizens Union called on all councilmembers, particularly those who expressed support for the elimination of stipends, to not only give the money back but work to end the practice and institute greater compensation reform. 2/16/10 CITIZENS UNION TESTIFIES ON KEY PRIORITIES FOR COUNCIL COMMITTEE Citizens Union testified before the city council Governmental Operations Committee, outlining the organization's top priorities it would like to see the committee handle this year under its new chair, Councilmember Gail Brewer. These priorities include holding hearings on the issues likely to be addressed in the widely anticipated mayoral charter commission, evaluating the city's campaign finance program, continuing to monitor the implementation of new voting systems, evaluating council reform, and addressing the issue of councilmember compensation. 2/9/10 CITIZENS UNION RELEASES REPORT CARD ON COUNCIL RULES Citizens Union released a report card, "Grading the New York City Council's Rules and Budget Reforms," on how well the City Council has performed since it issued its 2006 report: "Principles of Council Reform: Ideas for a More Democratic and Effective Council." The report notes areas of progress in making the council's operations more transparent, but also called upon the Council to enact further reform by cutting the number of Council committees in half and ending the practice of awarding stipends to committee chairs.1/19/10	NYC Council Stipends COUNCIL LULU WATCH 11 Councilmembers have donated or refused their lulus--so far. Find out who has and who hasn't. Gotham Gazette's New Website The award-winning site on NYC has a new look in 2010! Sign up for the Eye Opener, bringing you New York morning news straight to your email. Contribute to Citizens Union To learn more about joining CU, click here Follow CU
Recently in Gotham Gazette State Budget Puts Spinal Cord Injury Research in Jeopordy - Read Full Article Advocates say the state's plan to eliminate a program on spinal cord injury started by a police officer shot on duty will threaten efforts to help victims lead independent lives. Doubts Grow About City's Capital Spending - Read Full Article The capital budget has almost doubled during Bloomberg's tenure. Budget experts now wonder whether that was such a smart investment. Labor Dispute Silences Spanish at E-ZPass Center - Read Full Article Some politicians want the government to intervene in a heated labor dispute at a privately run E-ZPass center that has cost 14 workers their jobs and cut off service in Spanish. Charter Commissions Since 1989 - Read Full Article Placeholder Bloomberg Moves to Change the City Charter ? But How? - Read Full Article In naming a commission to revise the City Charter, the mayor put everything on the table. That means term limits, but what else? Douglas Muzzio looks at charter change past and present. CU In the News Bloomberg Moves to Change the City Charter -- But How? - Read Full Article March 8, 2010; Gotham Gazette In the world of Albany, Paterson woes are just the latest scandal - Read Full Article March 7, 2010; Star-Gazette What happened to New York's democracy? - Read Full Article March 7, 2010; Democrat and Chronicle General Ed: Former Mayor Koch Pledges to Rout and Replace the Albany Zeroes - Read Full Article March 7, 2010; NY Daily News Coaltition Led by Former Mayor Koch Takes Aim at Albany - Read Full Article March 5, 2010; WNYC Ed Koch to Lead Next Albany Coup - Read Full Article March 4, 2010; The New York Observer Who Can Save Albany? Ed Koch and Company, Maybe? - Read Full Article March 4, 2010; The New York Times Two Bronxites Named to City Charter Revision Commission - Read Full Article March 3, 2010; Bronx News Network Paterson Expected to Drop Election Bid - Read Full Article February 26, 2010; Gothamist Paterson’s Call for Inquiry Hands Cuomo Political Quandary - Read Full Article February 25, 2010; The New York Times