Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) announced today that earlier this week the Assembly passed a package of bills that she is sponsoring to increase openness, accountability and transparency in government to commemorating the sixth annual Sunshine Week. This year’s package includes bills that would:

• require that records and legislative proposals to be discussed at an open meeting be made available to the public prior to such a meeting (A.72-A);
• limit the time state agencies would have to appeal a judgment against them for violations of freedom of information laws (A.68); and
• require the commissioner of general services to maintain an inventory and audit of every state-owned real property or unappropriated state land that has been sold (A.2305).

“These bills help shine a light on our state government,” said Lupardo, who voted in favor of the legislation. “Voters deserve a responsive government that encourages citizen participation and conducts its business in the light of day.”

In past years, the Lupardo has supported new laws that modernize the distribution of public records (Ch. 223 of 2008), require posting of certain public records on Assembly websites (Ch. 499 of 2008), require public bodies to post dates and times of public meetings online (Ch. 26 of 2009), require agencies to accept and respond to requests for records under the Personal Privacy Protection Law (Ch. 27 of 2009), and allow courts to overturn government decisions done in violation of open meetings laws (Ch. 44 of 2010).