Originally Published: July 27, 2015
Today, New York and national transparency groups released the letter linked here and below, urging Governor Cuomo to sign two commonsense bills that strengthen the state’s Freedom of Information Law. The State Department of State’s Committee on Open Government recommended both bills.
S.1531 (Ranzenhoffer) / A.114 (Buchwald) reduces the total time government agencies in New York State have to appeal a judge’s decision ordering the release of public records to three months from ten.
S.533 (Gallivan) / A.1438B (Paulin) allows courts to require agencies to pay reasonable attorney fees when an agency has no reasonable basis for denying a FOIL request.
The groups’ letter notes that both bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and say they hope Governor Cuomo will sign them with enthusiasm.
Contact
John Kaehny
Executive Director
Reinvent Albany
917-388-9087
Dick Dadey
Executive Director
Citizens Union
212-227-0342
Chuck Bell
Programs Director
Consumers Union
914-378-2507
Susan Lerner
Executive Director
Common Cause NY
212-691-6421
Emily Shaw
Deputy Policy Director
Sunlight Foundation
202-742-1520
Dan Estrin
Supervising Attorney
Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic
914-422-4343
Dare Thompson
President
League of Women Voters of NYS
518-465-4162
Veronica Vanterpool
Executive Director
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
212-268-7474
Blair Horner
Legislative Director
NYPIRG
518-436-0876
Bob Perry
Legislative Director
NYCLU
518-436-8598