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BUFFALO, N.Y. — The New York Coalition for Open Government is a non-profit, non-partisan group of volunteers that issues periodic reports about government compliance with the state’s Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Laws.
President Paul Wolf said the group reviewed its posts from this year to compile "naughty and nice lists."
"This naughty list, it’s hard work to whittle it down, unfortunately, because there are many people who could be on this naughty list," Wolf said.
The group believes the state is in an open government crisis and lays part of the responsibility on the person at the top who promised a new era of transparency.
"To me, it’s very simple. We’ll focus on open ethical governing that New Yorkers will trust," Gov. Kathy Hochul said during her 2021 swearing-in ceremony.
Wolf said Hochul’s actions have not indicated any interest in government transparency, including a recent veto of legislation that would have required posting of emergency contracts.
“This administration has made important strides on transparency and access to public records, including reforming the FOIL process, directing more than 70 agencies and public authorities to release public transparency plans, and launching a publicly accessible database of State economic incentives," a spokesperson for the governor responded.
The group also criticizes New York City Mayor Eric Adams for overseeing departments with bad transparency records like the police and transportation department and the mayor delaying the release of his own public schedules.
Also making the naughty list for various decisions to restrict or impede access to public facilities or public comments are:
Finishing off the list are the Nassau County Police Department, which the coalition said has spent four years and at least $100,000 fighting a FOIL request for its phone directory, and the Syracuse School Board, which sent a local news station a cease-and-desist letter asking them to stop contacting board members with questions.
"Government officials know that there’s no penalties and chances of you suing us is slim to none so every report we do shows there’s large-scale non-compliance," Wolf said.
On the flip-side, these groups and individuals made the nice list for speaking out about the importance of open government, improving their own compliance or taking extra steps for transparency:
Wolf said the fight for transparency is a continuing one and the coalition hopes to make more progress in 2025.
