Armao on the Brink: Campaigning & Legislation

Hudson Mohawk Magazine

On the last days of the New York State legislative session lawmakers passed two bills expanding open government and the means for citizens to find out what their government is up to. New York Gov. Hochul now has a chance by signing these measures to finally make good on promises she made when first put into office to insure that government is transparent and to banish the kind of secrecy that leads to corruption. Freedom of Information is not a sexy topic for much of the public, but the government watchdog group Reinvent Albany managed to get votes to strengthen New York’s flabby rules by bringing in community groups working on issues like lead paint and police reform that have been hampered by their inability to get information from state and local governments. Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisor Rachael Fauss talks with Rosemary Armao about the winning campaign.