More DAs, Labor Unions Support NY’s Pioneering LLC Transparency Act
More DAs, Labor Unions Support NY’s Pioneering LLC Transparency Act The LLC Transparency Act is awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature in order to become law. The Author Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is today and is excited about its future growth. […]
Senator Wants To Keep Police Radio Signals Public
Senator Wants To Keep Police Radio Signals Public Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Astoria and Senate deputy majority leader, has introduced the Keep Police Radio Public ACt (S.7795) to amend the state Executive Law to stipulate police agencies in New York that choose to encrypt their radio communications must establish a written policy allowing duly authorized members […]
NYPD to fully encrypt police radio scanner as press, NY pols push back at total blackout
NYPD to fully encrypt police radio scanner as press, NY pols push back at total blackout “The NYPD is set to fully encrypt its radio broadcasts by the end of next year as part of a nearly $400 million planned system upgrade — setting off alarm among local politicians and press advocates.”“It’s not about radio […]
Do I have to file a Freedom of Information Request (FOIL) for Property Records?
Do I have to file a Freedom of Information Request (FOIL) for Property Records? QUESTION Our town puts out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for bids to buy a parcel of property. Bids arrive to the town. Does we have to FOIL for the records? Or are they available to us as part of the […]
Erie County – Finally, answers on sheriff’s helicopter use
Erie County: Finally, answers on sheriff’s helicopter use The Erie County Sheriff’s Dept wants a new helicopter at a cost of $10 million. Investigative Post filed a FOIL request to find out how often the current helicopter has been used. The FOIL request was initially denied on the basis that providing flight records would endanger lives […]
Mid Hudson News: Town board violated law; ordered to pay legal fees
Mid Hudson News: Town board violated Open Meeting Laws; ordered to pay legal fees’ Dutchess County Supreme Court Justice Maria Rosa has ruled that the Wappinger Town Board violated the Open Meetings Law when the members chose to debate the merits of a resolution in executive session rather than discuss them in a meeting open […]
New York Government Contractors Face Key Legal and Ethics Rules
New York Government Contractors Face Key Legal and Ethics Rules This article provides a brief overview of some of the transparency and ethics rules that private contractors should be aware of when conducting business with state agencies. The Author Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing […]
Audits of Local Governments
New York State Comptroller: Audits of Local Governments The New York State Comptroller’s office website has a lot of great information on it. We encourage everyone interested in local government to look through it. Above is a link to audits done by the Comptroller’s office, which you can search in various ways. You might be surprised […]
Judge forces Sands to start over on Coliseum lease takeover
Judge forces Sands to start over on Coliseum lease takeover In Nassau County a judge ruled that the open meetings law was violated, voiding a lease agreement that was entered into. The county must redo public hearings that were done without proper notice to the public. The Author Paul is the founder of the NY […]
As The Leaves Are Changing – What Has (and Has Not) Changed with the FOIA?
As The Leaves Are Changing – What Has (and Has Not) Changed with the FOIA? This is a good overview of interesting changes recently made in Connecticut regarding their open government laws. The Author Paul is the founder of the NY Coalition For Open Government and has truly loved seeing it become what it is […]
