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Freedom of Information: Federal and New York State Laws
Janette Clarke — May 2, 2009
The initial Freedom of Information Act was created so that the public could have greater access to records possessed by federal government agencies. President Linden B. Johnson signed the Act into law on July 4, 1966 and it went into effect the next year. While this Act applies only to federal agencies, all of the states have created similar statutes which require disclosure by state and local government agencies.
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Open Meetings Law
Alicia Giglio — Apr 26, 2009
By law, citizens have the right to attend meetings of public bodies, listen to the debates, and watch the decision-making process in action. These meetings are considered “open meetings.” Article seven of the New York State Public Officers Law is entitled, Open Meetings Law. This law lays out all of the requirements and exemptions for meetings held by public bodies. The Open Meetings Law went into effect in 1977.
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Integrity and Ethical Standards in New York State Government: Final Report to the Governor
Lou Jean Fleron, Lois Gray Jan 1, 1990
September 1990 letter from the New York State Commission on Government Integrity to Governor Mario M. Cuomo. “This letter constitutes the final report of the Commission on Government Integrity. The Commission was created by Executive Order 88.1 and directed to examine a wide variety of subjects concerning government integrity in New York State. Since its inception, the Commission has submitted 20 reports containing specific recommendations for reform of New York laws, …