Saratoga Springs struggles with applying 3 minute public comment rule to all. "... some speakers who extend beyond their allotted time have been verbally halted, others have been granted extra talking time to reach their conclusion." saratogatodaynewspaper.com/talk-of-the-to…

"Unfortunately, last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected a bill that would require quickly executed vendor contracts to be posted on state websites along with how the contract is tied to the emergency." drive.google.com/file/d/1cW6ywk…

NY has a commission on judicial conduct. In Berne, three members of the town board have resigned due to the town supervisors conduct. Perhaps we should have a state commission to address the conduct of elected officials? drive.google.com/file/d/10HGJd-…

More local governments should utilize Artificial Intelligence to produce verbatim meeting transcripts. riverheadlocal.com/2024/08/20/tow…

“It’s the only way that the public and the news media have the ability to hold government officials accountable,” said Paul Wolf, an attorney and president of the New York Coalition for Open Government." Speaking about NY's Freedom of Information Law. drive.google.com/file/d/1Nhtva8…

September is the 50th anniversary of New York's Freedom of Information Law. NY was one of the last state's in the nation to pass such a law. In a 1971 survey the MTA stated that "none of the records and documents of this agency are available to the public." We have not come far.

Kudos to the Guilderland School Board for filling a vacancy on their board by interviewing candidates in a public session that will be videotaped. Public bodies often conduct such interviews behind closed doors in violation of the Open Meetings Law. altamontenterprise.com/08262024/guild…

50 years ago these NY agencies opposed passing the Freedom of Information Law: Judicial Conference; Urban Development Corp; Dept of Commerce; Association of Towns; District Attorneys Association; Conference of Mayors. It has been a struggle ever since for the public to get info.

The lack of details made public in the investigation is concerning to Paul Wolf, the President of the New York Coalition for Open Government. You can get the disciplinary complaints and results regarding a police officer, but not for a state legislator. cnycentral.com/news/i-team/af…

The Daily Gazette has a great editorial regarding the 50th anniversary of NY's Freedom of Information Law. "Now, 50 years later, the aging law is in serious need of a life-affirming revitalization to overcome government’s growing desire for secrecy ..." drive.google.com/file/d/15Skx6U…

Gov. Kathy Hochul is being urged to put her signature on a proposal aimed at shining a brighter light on lucrative contracts that are shielded from public disclosure under state laws. thecentersquare.com/new_york/artic…

When NY's FOIL was first introduced (1970) it gave the Committee on Open Government the power to hear appeals. News publishers objected to traveling to Albany for their appeals. Times change, pass A7933, which creates a remote hearing officer system. nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_f…

"As FOIL celebrates its 50th anniversary, the New York Legislature should take up bills that will help make it the beacon of a free society that it was meant to be." drive.google.com/file/d/1wFPfAD…

After 50 Years, New York’s Freedom Of Information Law Needs Urgent Reform! From the beginning, many government agencies were against providing information to the public. Fifty years later, it is still harder than it should be to obtain information. harlemworldmagazine.com/op-ed-after-50…

“Truly outrageous” and worthy of a public apology. That’s how Paul Wolf, president of the New York Coalition for Open Government, described the conduct of Niagara Falls City Council Chairman Jim Perry after he stopped a taxpayer from speaking. drive.google.com/file/d/1vXno3_…

A Clever Act of Sabotage Aimed at Crippling Landmark 2020 Police Accountability Law. reinventalbany.org/2024/09/new-la…

"... the NYPD, ... under Commissioner Edward Caban has become hostile to any transparency." nypost.com/2024/09/06/opi…

Kudos to the town of Hanover for continuing to improve their website after the New York Coalition For Open Government gave their website a failing grade. observertoday.com/news/top-stori…

According to Cory Morris, a lawyer who has battled the city several times over public records. “I’m at a loss for words, I think this will drag on for years and it shouldn’t,” ny1.com/nyc/all-boroug…

Several federal agencies recently came together to discuss Best Practices on creating and implementing plans to reduce their backlog of Freedom of Information Act requests. It would be great to see this same practice occur with NY State agencies. justice.gov/oip/blog/oip-p…