blog – New York Coalition for Open Government https://nyopengov.org New York Coalition for Open Government Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:16:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://nyopengov.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/nycog1-150x150.jpg blog – New York Coalition for Open Government https://nyopengov.org 32 32 Open Government Champion Awards https://nyopengov.org/open-government-champion-awards/ Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:53:56 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=7405

Open Government Champion Awards

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“Democracy, like a precious jewel, shines most brilliantly in the light of an open government.”

As we celebrate Independence Day, we want to take the opportunity to recognize media organizations as a vital pillar of our democracy. No open society can flourish without an informed citizenry, and the press is our natural ally in the quest to inform the public and defend citizens’ rights to access information from public institutions.
 
We are recognizing eight organizations for their outstanding reporting on issues concerning government transparency in New York State, with two additional recognitions being given to student publications.
Congratulations to Our Awardees!
 
Altamont Enterprise
The Altamont Enterprise & Albany County Post is a weekly newspaper in Albany County. Recognized for their great open government reporting, especially by reporters Noah Zweifel & Sean Mulkerrin.
 
Post Journal/Dunkirk Observer
The Post-Journal, a daily newspaper in Jamestown, NY, is recognized for its outstanding open government reporting by reporter Matthew Stafford.
 
Riverhead Local
Covering Riverhead, NY, in Suffolk County, Riverhead Local is celebrated for its excellent open government reporting, including a “transparency to-do list” for an incoming town supervisor.
 
Palladium Times
The Palladium Times, serving Oswego County, is noted for its great open government reporting by reporter Ken Sturtz.
 
Westmore News
Westmore News covers Port Chester and Rye Brook in Westchester County. Mrs. Abel wrote a piece on the town restricting committee members from speaking about their service.
 
Mountain Eagle News
Covering Otsego, Delaware, Greene, and Ulster Counties, Mountain Eagle News is praised for Leila Crockett’s article on the Fulton town supervisor eliminating public comments.
 
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
A daily in Lockport, NY, covering eastern Niagara County. Recognized for great open government reporting by Benjamin Joe, who wrote about a mayor’s media gag order and short notice for a town board meeting.
 
Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Serving the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake, Franklin, and Essex Counties. Recognized for editorials on transparency, including “Hochul’s Budget Fails to Address Transparency” and Sunshine Week efforts.
 
Student Journalist: Adelaide Barlow
Adelaide, a high school yearbook editor, just graduated and will attend the University of Washington. She fights for First Amendment rights in New York schools.
 
Student Journalist: Holden Velasco
Holden Velasco, Editor-in-Chief of The Knight News at Queens College, has led the paper through a crisis, building teams of reporters, multimedia journalists, and social media managers.
 
Keep up the great work, everyone!
>>> Read our full blog here
]]> Press Awards: Open Government Champion nonadult Syracuse Press Club Award https://nyopengov.org/syracuse-press-club-award/ Tue, 07 May 2024 02:20:33 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=7225

Syracuse Press Club Award

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michelle allen

Coalition Vice President Michelle Allen Accepts the award by the Syracuse Press Club

We are very proud and honored to receive an award for our fight for open and transparent government by the Syracuse Press Association.

 

“The coalition’s activities have included trips to Albany to lobby elected officials, sharing stories about open government issues through social media and highlighting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s poor record on government transparency in contrast to her promises. And the coalition has spoken out against municipalities that have demonstrated a lack of transparency in Central New York.”
 

https://syracusepressclub.org/news/julie-halpin-ny-coalition-for-open-government-win-2024-spc-transparency-awards/

 

 

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> FOIL & OML Education Session at the 2024 New York Press Association Meeting https://nyopengov.org/foil-oml-education-session-at-the-2024-new-york-press-association-meeting/ Sat, 27 Apr 2024 22:47:17 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=7269

FOIL & OML Education Session at the 2024 annual New York Press Association Meeting

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robyn gray speaking at the annual new york press association meeting 2024

Robyn Gray and Mary Louise Kling speaking at the annual New York Press Association Meeting in Albany

A free and informed press is essential to the health of a democracy, and media organizations are our crucial allies in the fight for open and transparent government.

It was with great honor that we accepted the invitation to conduct an educational session on Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and Open Meeting Law (OML) at the annual meeting of the New York Press Association in Saratoga Springs, NY.

These laws are cornerstones of public accountability and transparency, and by educating journalists and media professionals about them, we reinforce the fundamental principles of democracy.

We are proud to collaborate with and support the media in their vital role of informing the public, ensuring that government remains accessible and accountable to all.

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Sunshine Week 2024 https://nyopengov.org/sunshine-week-2024/ Sun, 10 Mar 2024 17:55:16 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6767

We are going to Albany for Sunshine Week!

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sunshine week logo

A group of volunteers from the Coalition is heading to Albany to promote several pieces of legislation that would increase government transparency and accountability in New York State.

Click here to learn about our
Legislative Priorities

https://nyopengov.org/legislation-action/

Monday (03/11), we will be knocking on the doors of legislators, Tuesday (03/12), we are going to hold a press conference with some of our partner organizations.

We Urge the Legislature and Governor to 

Strengthen New York State’s

Freedom Of Information Law for Sunshine Week

 

The New York Coalition For Open Government, Reinvent Albany, and the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) invite you to a joint press conference in honor of Sunshine Week. We will be joined by legislative champions and other advocates to present several pieces of legislation to address the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) crisis in New York State.

 

Date: Tuesday, 03/12

Time: 10:30 am

Where: Albany – New York State Capitol, fourth-floor lobby outside the Senate Chambers

 

Legislators in Attendance (sponsors of FOIL reform legislation):

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Senator John Liu

Assemblymember Steven Raga

 

Speakers: 

– Paul Wolf Esq., President – New York Coalition for Open Government 

– Rachael Fauss, Senior Policy Advisor – Reinvent Albany  

– David Siffert, Legal Director – Surveillance Technology Oversight Project 

– Blair Horner, Executive Director – New York Public Interest Research Group 

– Erica Smitka, Deputy Director – League Women Voters of NYS

– Shane Ferro, Staff Attorney with the Digital Forensics Unit – Legal Aid Society 

– Justin Harrison, Senior Policy Counsel – New York Civil Liberties Union 


Sunshine Week is a non-partisan, nationwide initiative uniting participants from journalism, civic groups, government, and the private sector to emphasize the critical role of public record access and transparent government in maintaining a healthy democracy. Celebrated annually in mid-March, this event coincides with the birthday of James Madison, a staunch advocate for transparency, and is marked alongside National Freedom of Information Day on March 16th.

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Uphold Transparency https://nyopengov.org/uphold-transparency/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 17:02:46 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6328

Letter to the Editor: Uphold Transparency

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Uphold Transparency - 27 East
Uphold Transparency Happy New Year to all village residents and faithful readers of my frequent letters. I appreciate your willingness to engage with critical community discussions. Today, I bring to ...
Southampton, NY resident David Rung took the time to write a great letter to the editor calling for more transparency by village officials.
“I encourage our village officials to revisit their approach to Freedom of Information requests with a focus on openness. Upholding transparency is not only about following legal mandates but also about fostering trust and accountability within our community. It is crucial that our village practices reflect a genuine commitment to these values.”

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Hubbard promises a new age of transparency. We’ve got a few suggestions for his to-do list https://nyopengov.org/hubbard-promises-a-new-age-of-transparency-weve-got-a-few-suggestions-for-his-to-do-list/ Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:00:08 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6321

Hubbard promises a new age of transparency. We’ve got a few suggestions for his to-do list.

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Editorial | Hubbard promises a new age of transparency. We’ve got a few suggestions for his to-do ...
Supervisor Tim Hubbard has promised a town government that will reach “a level of transparency…that has not been seen before.” Here’s why that’s important and what he should do to make this ...
Recently Tim Hubbard as the new supervisor for the town of Riverhead in Long Island announced his commitment to transparency. Riverhead Local, the towns newspaper made some good suggestions for the supervisor. Below are some highlights.
– All committee meetings should be open to the public, whether or not the State Open Meetings Law requires it.
– Hold so-called pre-submission conferences, where two Town Board members, together with upper-level staff, meet with developers to discuss proposals before they formally submit applications public.
– The town’s Code Revision Committee’s meetings must also be opened to the public.
– Require all appointed boards, committees and advisory groups to prepare meeting agendas to be posted on the town’s website at least 72 hours before all meetings. The agendas should be accompanied online by documents and resolutions to be discussed and/or acted on at the meeting.
– All site plan and special permit applications filed with the planning department and/or Town Board or town clerk should be listed on the Town Board’s regular meeting agendas. This was a practice followed for many years, but it has fallen by the wayside.

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Judge cites ‘protections of jurors’ in order barring public from jury selection in Holding Center death lawsuit https://nyopengov.org/judge-cites-protections-of-jurors-in-order-barring-public-from-jury-selection-in-holding-center-death-lawsuit/ Sat, 27 Jan 2024 16:55:28 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6313

Judge cites 'protections of jurors' in order barring public from jury selection in Holding Center death lawsuit

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Judge cites 'protections of jurors' in order barring public from jury selection in ...
State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred the public from jury selection in a high-profile civil trial for "the protections of jurors," according to an order issued Wednesday.

State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred the public from jury selection in a high-profile civil trial for “the protections of jurors,” according to an order issued Wednesday.

Grisanti took the unusual step of blocking two Buffalo News journalists from observing jury selection on Monday and Tuesday in the case involving the 2012 death of Erie County Holding Center inmate Richard Metcalf Jr., a move that one legal expert said was rare and did not appear to follow accepted courtroom practices.

Justice Mark Grisanti blocks courtroom access during jury selection in civil case over Holding Center death

Jury selection, as with all court proceedings, generally is open to the public.

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Adams Administration Withholds 311 Emails From Streetsblog https://nyopengov.org/adams-administration-withholds-311-emails-from-streetsblog/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:50:25 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6304

Adams Administration Withholds 311 Emails From Streetsblog

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Adams Administration Withholds 311 Emails From Streetsblog - Streetsblog New York City
“An agency repeatedly issuing itself extensions to respond to FOIL requests is inconsistent with FOIL’s purpose," said one lawyer.

Should we even bother filing a 311 complaint?

The city agency overseeing the 311 system has again been caught flouting government transparency standards — this time stalling the release of emails that Streetsblog requested following an investigation into ignored 311 service requests.

Government watchdogs are raising new alarms.

“An agency repeatedly issuing itself extensions to respond to Freedom of Information Law requests is inconsistent with FOIL’s purpose,” said Heather Murray, an attorney with the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic who represents Streetsblog. “Endless delays are tantamount to a denial, and the lack of responsiveness from the Office of Technology and Innovation here only serves to keep important information from the public and thereby erode the public’s trust in its government.”

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Iowa bill would raise penalties for open meetings, records violations https://nyopengov.org/iowa-bill-would-raise-penalties-for-open-meetings-records-violations/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:03:45 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6219

Iowa bill would raise penalties for open meetings, records violations

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Iowa bill would raise penalties for open meetings, records violations
Government officials in Iowa who violate open meetings and records law would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced by a Bettendorf lawmaker.
Government officials in Iowa who violate open meetings and records law would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced by a lawmaker.
 
For a person who violated open meetings law, the bill would raise the civil fine from between $100-$500 to between $1,000 and $5,000. If a violation is knowingly committed, the bill would increase the damages assessed from between $1,000 and $2,500 to between $10,000 and $25,000.
 
The bill would also require elected and appointed officials to undergo an educational course on provisions of the state’s rules on open meetings and open records.

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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]]> Riverhead supervisor announces new online access to Town Board meeting documents https://nyopengov.org/riverhead-supervisor-announces-new-online-access-to-town-board-meeting-documents/ Sun, 21 Jan 2024 21:09:31 +0000 https://nyopengov.org/?p=6232

Riverhead supervisor announces new online access to Town Board meeting documents

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Riverhead supervisor announces new online access to Town Board meeting documents
Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard on Friday announced changes being implemented to provide the public with more access to information related to Town Board meetings and work sessions.
Tim Hubbard as the newly elected supervisor for the town of Riverhead located in Long Island has made some good changes regarding the public’s access to information.
 
The town will be posting meeting agendas with documents online Friday for meetings scheduled to occur on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
Correspondence submitted to the Town Clerk will be posted on the town clerk’s web page on the town’s website and will be included in the board meeting packet.
 
The supervisor said making these documents publicly available online will eliminate the need to file Freedom of Information Law requests to obtain them, as had been the practice.
We need more town supervisors to take this proactive approach to provide information to the public.

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.

As an attorney for 32 years, he is a partner in the law firm of Berzer & Wolf. Prior to his private law practice, Paul served in several government positions with the Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Housing Authority, and Erie County.

When he is not practicing law and doing open government stuff, Paul enjoys spending time with his spouse, Cheryl, and his three children, Michael, Joseph, and Julia. Paul resides in Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo.

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