Looking forward to tonight’s CUF’s George S. Kaufman Forum — What’s Next? A Post-Primary Analysis! Hear from Morris Katz, Susan Del Percio, Christina Greer, and moderator Grace Rauh on what NY primary results mean and what comes next. Watch live here at 6:30pm ET: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0csw...

The indictment of former Adams Chief of Staff Frank Carone raises serious concerns about NYC’s emergency contracting system, revolving-door rules, and conflicts of interest. City leaders must act on stronger ethics and anti-corruption reforms. Read more: citizensunion.org/document/202...

Congrats to Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on his victory in the Democratic primary for State Comptroller! Citizens Union supported DiNapoli for his record of careful stewardship, ethical integrity, government transparency, and independence in managing one of the most important oversight offices in NY.

NYC is competing for talent with a hiring system built for another era. Searchlight’s latest, penned by Caitlin Lewis, argues the Charter Commission can help bring public hiring into the present, while preserving merit, fairness, and accountability. searchlight.citizensunion.org/nyc-has-the-...

Today is Primary Election Day! Polls are open from 6 AM to 9 PM. Make your plan, check your poll site, and cast your ballot. Review Citizens Union’s preferred candidates before heading to the polls: citizensunion.org/voters-guide... Happy voting!

Today, CU’s Ben Weinberg testified before the City Council on AI-generated campaign content and public servants’ use of prediction markets, offering comments on strengthening existing legal & ethics frameworks as technology changes to protect public trust. citizensunion.org/wp-content/u...

In a new Searchlight op-ed, @errollouis.bsky.social argues that @nycibo.bsky.social's proposals to save the city money and raise revenue deserve more attention. searchlight.citizensunion.org/charter-refo...

“Our tax dollars, including the billions undocumented people pay every year, should go toward healthcare, housing, schools, childcare, and transit instead of detention camps, surveillance machines like Palantir, and mass deportation.” - @bkbpreynoso.bsky.social in Searchlight on immigration policy.

The State Comptroller oversees New York’s money. In our new op-ed policy journal, Searchlight, three candidates for the top fiscal job discuss how they would use the office to help New Yorkers:

In NY-10, Congressman @repdangoldman.bsky.social and former Comptroller @bradlander.bsky.social talk about updating tax codes so billionaires pay more, and getting dark money out of our elections.

We launched a new policy platform at Citizens Union Foundation. Welcome to Searchlight! Our editor, @robgeorge.bsky.social, kicked things off by candidates for Congress and State Comptroller to share one big policy idea.

There’s a lot of competition in NY-12: @alexbores.nyc, @gtconway.bsky.social,  @micahlasher.bsky.social  & Jack Schlossberg are fighting for Rep. Jerry Nadler’s seat. Read their ideas: ✔️Regulating AI ✔️Supporting people in mental health crises ✔️Protecting free & fair elections ✔️SuperPACs are a threat

Introducing Searchlight: our new platform for bold policy ideas, serious debate & practical solutions to New York’s biggest challenges. To launch, we asked the candidates in NY’s congressional & statewide primary races to write about one big policy idea they want to pursue.

Citizens Union interviewed 36 candidates running for New York State Senate, Assembly, and Comptroller. We're recommending 16 of them for June’s primary election. Our endorsements prioritize candidates committed to ethics, transparency, accountability, & effective government. 🧵

Watchdog agencies can’t fight corruption without staff & resources to do their jobs. That’s why Citizens Union,  @reinventalbany.bsky.social  Common Cause NY, @nypirg.bsky.social  +  @lwvnyc.bsky.social are calling for more funding for the Department of Investigation & Conflicts of Interest Board.

🗳 Citizens Union prefers @tomdinapoli.bsky.social for NY State Comptroller, citing his record of ethical leadership, independent oversight, fiscal stewardship, and government transparency. The office demands serious, accountable management — and Citizens Union says DiNapoli has delivered.

🚨 Citizens Union is proud to announce our preferred candidates in key 2026 State Senate and Assembly races. These New Yorkers stood out for their support of ethics, transparency, and accountable government. Here’s who we’re backing 🧵👇

NYers deserve a REAL say in who becomes a party’s nominee for President. Today we stood with @jamesskoufis.bsky.social, @landondais4ny.bsky.social, Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda @justinsanchez17.bsky.social & @commoncauseny.bsky.social to support moving NY’s presidential primary to #SuperTuesday. 🗳️

The Mayor’s communications must follow the law. Our Executive Director Grace Rauh told Politico's @c-sommerfeldt.bsky.social: “City leaders must be deliberate about how they communicate...The rules exist to protect the public.” Read more 👇 www.politico.com/news/2026/03...

NY’s courts are overwhelmed. We joined @citizensunionny.bsky.social Common Cause NY and Scrutinize to support the Uncap Justice Act and Timely Justice Act to modernize judicial staffing with transparency, data, and accountability. Time to fix the system. ⚖️ buff.ly/qaphcAo

Voters need certainty—and fast. Our Executive Director Grace Rauh warns that delayed decisions and a split primary could lead to lower turnout and unnecessary confusion. With petitioning starting in late February, speed is of the essence.

The Trump admin's unilateral pause on offshore wind is bad governance and bad policy. Read the response from Grace Rauh and @johnavlon.bsky.social

This is exactly why Citizens Union raised concerns about pass-through PACs like Put NYC First in our post-election report. These structures may be legal, but they weaken transparency and accountability in NYC elections. It’s time to close the loopholes. www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-pol...

Big news: Grace Rauh, our Exec Dir tapped to serve on Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social 's Transition Committee on Youth and Education. Child care is economic infrastructure & we’re proud to help shape this pivotal moment to strengthen NYC’s childcare system for working families.

Restoring trust in NYC gov starts with real ethics & accountability reform. We're encouraged the NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy is advancing measures including a long-overdue process to remove a mayor for misconduct & guaranteed funding for oversight agencies. Full statement 👇

The Watchdog never sleeps. After the election, NYC politics is still barking with news: 💸 Super PAC loopholes exposed 🚔 NYPD oversight shake-up 🗳️ Agencies flunk voter registration law 🏛️ Mamdani names top staff 📊 Who showed up at the polls mailchi.mp/citizensunio...

The 2025 election cycle may be over — but NYC politics is just getting started. 👔 Who joins Mayor-elect Mamdani’s team? 🚔 Will Tisch stay NYPD Commissioner? 🏛️ Council Speaker race heats up 📊 Even-year elections fall short (for now) Catch it all in this week’s Watchdog: mailchi.mp/citizensunio...

Congratulations to Kayla Santosuosso on her election to represent Brooklyn’s Council District 47! We’re proud to have endorsed her and look forward to working together to advance transparency, accountability, and reform in NYC.

A historic moment for NYC democracy: voter turnout reached its highest level in 50+ years! We applaud the voters & poll workers who made it happen. Strong participation is progress & together we will keep building a democracy that works for everyone gothamist.com/news/voter-t...

We’re deeply disappointed that Ballot Proposal 6 did not pass. This reform would have moved NYC’s local elections to presidential years—when turnout is highest—giving millions more New Yorkers a voice in choosing who governs our city. Full statement:

It’s #ElectionDay! 🗳️ Our Executive Director @gracerauh joins @PIX11News tonight from 8–11:30 PM with @DanMannarino for in-depth election coverage — breaking down key races, early results, and what they mean for New York’s political landscape.

On PIX11 Politics Daily, our Exec Director busts a major myth about #BallotQuestion6: More voters = more visibility for local issues. When elections align with national contests, turnout soars — and NYC’s local races finally get the attention they deserve. 🗳️ pix11.com/news/politic...

Each fall, we honor the New Yorkers whose leadership makes our city stronger: the Gotham Greats. This year, we were proud to celebrate 4 great New Yorkers: Eric Gertler, Rose Gill, Betsy Gotbaum, and Dawn L. Smalls. And we gave journalist Michael Daly our Searchlight award.

Our Exec Director, Grace Rauh, joined the #JuanManuelBenítezWantstoKnow podcast with @juanmabenitez.bsky.social to discuss how a YES vote on Ballot Proposal 6 would increase voter turnout, provide greater representation, & strengthen democracy. 🎧 Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/4o8A...

🗳️Our Ben Weinberg joined @ny1 to talk about the benefits of moving local elections to even-numbered years. “We will draw a much younger electorate and an electorate that is much more representative of the community as a whole.” ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Early voting is on! 🗳️ What is NYC Ballot Question 6 & how could it change local elections? Join our webinar: Understanding Ballot Q6 Thu, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM ET 🔗 Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #NYC #NYCVotes #BallotQuestion6 #CivicEngagement

When fewer than 1 in 4 New Yorkers votes for mayor, we have a major problem. It’s an alarm for our democracy. This election, we can do something about it. Read more from @gothamist.com: gothamist.com/news/on-nyc-...

Democracy works best when everyone has a voice. 🗳️Our ED, Grace Rauh, joined Inside City Hall @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social to discuss making it easier for more New Yorkers to participate and why higher turnout leads to a government that better reflects our city ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

🚨 NEW: Citizens Union has released “How to Restore Public Trust and Clean City Hall,” a reform blueprint for the next NYC mayor. The plan lays out clear, actionable steps to root out corruption, rebuild public trust, and restore ethics in city government. 🧵

🚨 Citizens Union announces endorsements in three City Council races! After a rigorous review, we’re proud to back candidates who demonstrate a commitment to reform, ethics, and public service. 🧵👇

“Today is an important step for democracy, but it’s just the first step.” We joined @CapitalTonight to discuss the Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision upholding NY’s even-year election law — a major win for voter participation & fairer local elections spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...

Our 5BOROInstitute NYC Child Care Summit brought together leaders from business, government and advocacy to tackle this crisis. Hear from Grace Rauh on @spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social on what's at stake and why business leaders are ready to engage ⬇️
ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Racist chats exposed. 💬 Public funds misused. 💸 A key election ruling upheld. ⚖️ It’s all in this week’s Weekly Watchdog! Stay sharp and read the full roundup: mailchi.mp/citizensunio...

NEW: Court of Appeals unanimously upholds law moving county and town elections across the state to even years! This will boost turnout and strengthen local democracy. Next up: NYC. Vote YES on Proposal 6 this November to extend these reforms to the 5 boros! www.timesunion.com/state/articl...

“When fewer than 1 in 4 New Yorkers turn out to vote for the Mayor of our city, we have a major problem” - Grace Rauh on @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social That’s why we’re urging a YES vote on Question 6 to move city elections to even years and improve turnout. www.wnyc.org/story/30-iss...

Voter turnout in NYC’s local elections has plunged—just 23% in the last mayoral race vs. 61% in presidential years. This November, we can fix that. Grace Rauh in @nydailynews.com : Vote YES on Proposal 6 to strengthen local democracy. 🗳️ www.nydailynews.com/2025/10/12/b...

@citizensunionny.bsky.social new report shows that moving local NYC elections to presidential election years would greatly improve voter turnout and representation, including in down-ballot races. This Nov., NYers can vote to jump-start this move.

This November, we have the opportunity to enfranchise more voters by approving Question 6 to move municipal elections to even years. As @citizensunionny.bsky.social makes it clear: even year voting means more voices are heard—and an electorate that better reflects our communities.

We agree with Ross Barkan: more voters = a stronger democracy. Let’s approve even-year elections when we go to the polls this November.

Good-government news never rests — and neither do we! This week’s Weekly Watchdog covers: ✅ Even-year elections = more voters 🏛️ Council transparency 👶 5BORO’s Child Care Summit (Oct 16) 🤖 AI disinfo in local races 🌍 Ethics & travel rules mailchi.mp/citizensunio...