Group letter urges New York governor to sign bill that would enhance transparency law

The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined Reinvent Albany in urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill that would enhance the state’s Freedom of Information Law.

“We are asking you to sign this bill into law as part of a new and sincere commitment to fostering greater transparency in our state,” reads the Dec. 13, 2021, letter, authored by Reinvent Albany and signed by the leaders of 10 organizations.

The bill, which was vetoed by then-Governor Cuomo in 2019, would allow FOIL requesters to have courts decide if disclosing records would interfere with judicial proceedings, and would make FOIL consistent with case law to clarify ambiguities.