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 […]

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Letter urges N.Y. governor to make COVID-19 data more usable, become leader in transparency

The National Freedom of Information Coalition endorsed a letter penned by Reinvent Albany, urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to make COVID-19 data more usable by the public.  Reinvent Albany, an NFOIC member, thanked Hochul for publishing more COVID-19 open data, and it asked her to “please finish the job.” “The new COVID-19 webpage and […]

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New York coalitions see signs of progress in new transparency laws signed by governor

Government transparency took a few legislative steps forward this fall in New York, where the National of Freedom of Information Coalition has two member organizations. Starting Nov. 18, 2021, public bodies must post their meeting documents online, to the “extent practicable,” at least 24 hours before a meeting. The New York Coalition for Open Government, […]

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Letter, signed by NFOIC, urges New York governor to publish COVID data

Ten open government groups, including the National Freedom of Information Coalition, signed a Sept. 7, 2021, letter urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to publish COVID-19 data. “Publishing COVID data in a tabular, downloadable, machine-readable format would help restore trust in state government and help researchers, journalists and the public to better understand the dire […]

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Reinvent Albany, NFOIC, others urge full transparency regarding COVID-19 in New York

Several organizations, including the National Freedom of Information Coalition and NFOIC member Reinvent Albany, in March wrote a letter urging New York leaders to provide full transparency about the COVID-19 emergency and the state’s response. “We are fully aware that the state’s response to the COVID-19 emergency has become controversial, and we are not calling […]

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New York passes bill to unveil police discipline records

New York state lawmakers repealed a decades-old law Tuesday that has kept law enforcement officers’ disciplinary records secret, spurred by the national uproar over the death of George Floyd. The measure to make officers’ records and misconduct complaints public is among several police accountability bills racing through the state legislature. Lawmakers passed other bills that […]

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Gotham Gazette Opinion: A Simple First Step to Help the (NY) MTA Re-Establish Credibility

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is teetering on financial collapse and still struggling to overcome a meltdown in subway service and collapse in bus ridership. No one doubts that the MTA has serious problems and riders are suffering. But before the State Legislature approves tens of billions of new funding, the MTA needs to show […]

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New York’s transparency problem

Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised to manage “the most transparent” administration New Yorkers have ever seen. The reality is that his administration continues to keep a tight lid on public records or takes months to respond to even the most basic requests for information.  News 4 Investigates from May through August filed Freedom of Information law requests with every state […]

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University of Buffalo Council violated Open Meetings Law, according to top open-government official

The UB Council violated New York State’s Open Meetings Law on Monday by barring students from its meeting, according to the state’s top open-government official.  Roughly 50 graduate students and faculty members congregated outside Capen 505, hoping to attend the meeting. Chief of Staff Beth Del Genio told members of the Living Stipend Movement –– […]

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Lawsuit over extreme secrecy in Niagara County government being considered

New York State’s government is in bad shape, but there is so much secrecy it is hard to tell how bad. That was the message Wednesday night, as two public interest groups were honored for trying to open government and uncover what is there. It was the Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government’s chance to […]

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