The New York State Senate last week moved towards greater openness and public participation in government decision-making, approving Senator Oppenheimer’s bill to enhance judicial enforcement of the open meetings law, S. 7054. The Senate also passed three other Sunshine Policy bills, which further reform the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIA) and Open Meetings Law.
“My legislation promotes public access to government decisions by making clear that a court may invalidate an action taken in violation of the open meetings law,” said Senator Oppenheimer. “Where appropriate, a court may also require training in the requirements of the open meetings law to ensure future compliance.”
While existing law permits a court to invalidate actions taken behind closed doors in violation of the open meetings law, subsequent judicial decisions implied that a court could not rescind an action taken in a public meeting even if deliberated unlawfully behind closed doors. This legislation clarifies that a court can invalidate an action in that circumstance and remand the matter to the public body for reconsideration. In addition, a court may require public officials to participate in training sessions on the open meetings law.
The Senate also approved Sunshine measures that:
• Require that open meetings be held in meeting rooms adequate for citizens and officials to attend (S.4284);
• Allow public meetings to be recorded, broadcast, webcast and photographed as long as it is not disruptive to the proceedings (S.3195B); and
• Require each agency and house of the legislature to publish frequently requested records on its internet website (S.7109).
“Government works best when the public is both fully informed and actively engaged in the decision-making process,” concluded Senator Oppenheimer. “The Sunshine package we have approved this week is an important step forward in responsible government.”
Senator Oppenheimer’s bill was approved by the Assembly as part of its Sunshine package and is now awaiting consideration by the Governor.
It seems odd to me Senator
It seems odd to me Senator that you’re spending time on this when you should be focused on eliminating next years $9 billion budget deficit without raising taxes/fees, slashing school aid or further encumbering our future (that means saddling future generations with todays debts by borrowing to balance this years budget).
What are you doing/proposing to reduce the state’s expenditures? Its obvious to most that NYS cannot continue on the path that its on, yet you propose no solutions to our problems. We’re close to being the highest taxed state in the country (if we’re not on top already) and yet I hear nothing of layoffs at the state level, why?