Just Asking
Why is the New York State Ethics Commission Denying the Public Access to Records?
The courts have upheld the commission's rules prohibiting the general public from copying, photographing or reproducing the records, which are again, available for public inspection.
Ethics Commission foils freedom of information law
December 15, 2005 The purposes of the New York freedom of information and open meetings laws are to shine light on the internal workings of government and enable the general public to make informed choices in the voting booth. However, regarding the New York State Ethics Commission, the Legislature has left loopholes in the law that allow the governor's people on the Ethics Commission to make rules and regulation impeding the general public's access to records, which Executive Law 94(17)(a) makes available for public inspection. The courts have upheld the commission's rules prohibiting the general public from copying, photographing or reproducing the records, which are again, available for public inspection. As a result, a taxpayer from Corning would have to drive 3.5 hours to Albany to inspect records that may be grossly incomplete or extensively redacted, not to mention the personal expense and inconvenience. Tell your state representatives that you want open, transparent government. You want to know that those who are required to file financial disclosure statements are making decisions in the public's interest, not their own. DAN STUART Pine City New York State Ethics Committee Executive Law 94 |