“The Freedom of Information Law [FOIL] system in NY is broken,” said Paul Wolf, president of the New York Coalition for Open Government. “All over the state FOIL requests are being improperly delayed or denied." drive.google.com/file/d/1Pqo1n8…

Will be interesting to see if the Sumitomo Rubber Plant Closure Task Force formed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz will hold their meetings in public? www4.erie.gov/exec/sites/www…

Just like Santa the NY Coalition For Open Government has a Naughty & Nice list. See who made the list below. docs.google.com/presentation/d…

Interesting article by John Opdycke the President of Open Primaries, a national election reform organization "The Democratic Party hates independent thinking, independent organizations, independent voters and independent reform" thehill.com/opinion/campai…

This is absurd A notice issued on a Friday during holiday time for a public hearing on Monday 12/30 To obtain thoughts on reforming county government www4.erie.gov/legislature/pr…

Erie County Charter Commission members were selected months ago Why is a public hearing being scheduled now with just 3 days notice? This is absurd! www4.erie.gov/legislature/pr…

Today's Erie County Legislature meeting has these important items honoring: National Mentoring Month National Blood Donor Month National Pizza Week National Skating Month National Eye Care Month public.destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish…

former Assemblymember Ari Espinal: growing up in the Queens Democratic Party, she “learned two things.” “Loyalty and always listen to the chairman.” Very interesting article that explains how political party bosses influence the court system. nysfocus.com/2025/01/06/que…

Moving from 2 year terms to 4 years for Erie County, NY Legislators is good for politicians but not the public There should be an 8 year term limit and not 12 Share your thoughts at the public hearing on January 14, 6:00 pm public.destinyhosted.com/eriecdocs/2024…

I plan on attending the public hearing tonight 1/14 at 6:00 pm regarding a proposal to limit Erie County elected officials to 12 years in office. Hopefully others can join me to share your thoughts. buffalonews.com/news/local/gov…

I spoke in favor of term limits for Erie County elected officials and against extending two year terms for legislators to four years. buffalonews.com/paul-wolf-on-t…

“Campaign contributions have no influence on government decisions,” said Jen Goodman, a spokesperson for Hochul. Since Jan. 1, 2023, Hochul has raised $15.3 million from individual contributors With all of them seeking a favor in return We need reform! buffalonews.com/news/new-york-…

Great article in today's Buffalo News in support of ranked choice voting. This election reform will bring forward new voices and more choices. buffalonews.com/opinion/ranked…

County Clerk Mickey Kearns spoke in favor of the following at the Erie County Charter Commission meeting Term limits for county elected officials Prohibiting political party chairs from serving as Board of Elections Commissioners Allowing the public to speak at Leg meetings

The Erie County Legislature Doesn’t Allow Public Comment at Its Meetings This is not how democracy should work A public hearing on this issue is happening: 🗓 Thursday, June 26th 🕕 6:00 PM 📍 Erie County Legislature, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo Join me in speaking for this

On July 4, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act According to his press secretary “LBJ hated the very idea of open government, hated the thought of journalists rummaging in government closets, hated them challenging the official view of reality.”

South Dakota has a five-member Open Meetings Commission appointed by the state attorney general to consider complaints about government bodies around the state. We don't have anything like this in NY State and we should. yahoo.com/news/articles/…

The public overwhelmingly supports term limits. But Erie County legislators don’t care. They’re more focused on protecting their own power than serving the people. drive.google.com/file/d/19dHQUt…

We need new voices and new leaders in elected positions Political party bosses have a stranglehold on local governments We need to break the political machine Below are 16 charter reform ideas submitted to the City of Buffalo Charter Commission drive.google.com/file/d/1_NNdhL…

Once again Governor Hochul fails on her promise of transparency The Freedom of Information Law system is broken in NY State Hochul vetoes a bill on the basis that it would cost money, yet she has the ability to advocate for more funding and never does reinventalbany.org/2025/10/hochul…