NYC Delays Releasing Teacher Misconduct Records for Two Years Despite Public Records Reforms

New York City education officials missed a deadline again this week for providing teacher misconduct records, pushing The 74’s wait for the documents, which are public, past the two-year mark. In a March 2 letter, the Department of Education set a date for providing remaining materials in response to a submission made under the state’s Freedom […]

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Lawyers call on NYC politicians to end secrecy over cop discipline

The city’s Bar Association is calling on lawmakers to repeal a decades-old statute shielding police disciplinary records from the public. The city’s broad interpretation of the law, a 1976 civil rights provision known as 50-a, “fuels the mistrust between communities and the NYPD officers pledged to protect them,” reads a report issued by the City […]

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NY top economic development official says regional council members’ finances ‘not public records’

ALBANY — New York collects personal financial information from more than 200 people who recommend which economic development projects should receive state aid, but officials say the public should not be allowed to review that information. “These folks don’t have any statutory responsibility. They can’t actually enact anything based on their decision-making,’’ Howard Zemsky, the […]

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Despite ruling, Rockland clerk refuses to release public gun-permit data

From The Journal News: The Rockland County clerk is refusing to release the names and addresses of non-exempt pistol permit holders, ignoring state law and a letter from the county’s top public records official ordering the records’ release.

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Mayor Elect de Blasio: Set NYPD records free!

From MuckRock: The New York Police Department’s animus toward Freedom of Information requests is legendary, and mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has been one of the department’s most outspoken critics. As de Blasio takes the City Hall reins, transparency advocates have a tremendous opportunity. But if you want real reform, hold de Blasio to his watchdog roots.

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State FOIA Friday for August 16, 2013

From NFOIC:  A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.

Indy district seeks records on takeover of schools

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N.Y. State open government director rejects Sullivan’s blanket confidentiality claim

From RecordOnline.com:

MONTICELLO (October 23, 2012) – The Sullivan County Legislature was within its right to hold private presentations by bidders for its tourism-promotion contract, but the county’s refusal to disclose any part of the proposals has no basis in law, a state official said.

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Niagara County to move endangered public records

From The Wall Street Journal:

LOCKPORT, N.Y. — Millions of a western New York county’s birth and death records, adoption papers, investigative files and real estate records — some dating back more than 200 years — will be moved into new storage space, and out of a leaky old building where they’re in danger of being lost.

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