By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – It's Springtime in New York. And this year's arrival of Spring is bringing sunshine in more ways than one. State legislators are considering several bills that would strengthen New York's Freedom of Information laws.
Last week, the Democratic-controlled State Assembly passed seven bills that would allow greater public access to government information. And some of those bills have found sponsors in the Republican-run State Senate, meaning their chances of passage are improved.
One proposal would remove one of the biggest obstacles faced by people submitting Freedom of Information requests in New York for decades -- insurmountable standards for recouping legal fees after a successful lawsuit. Another bill passed by the Assembly would allow a citizen to sue public officials who improperly hold secret meetings.
Robert Freeman is the executive director of the State Committee on Open Government in Albany. He talked with WBFO's Mark Scott. Click the "listen" icon above to hear their conversation now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.