Where have I seen this before?

I just came across an interesting email that is floating around.

Being the cynic I am I immediately thought this looks like an attempt to coordinate with the Moreland Commission to help Cuomo get more power over JJOKE thru new legislation next year.

But this is the New York City Bar Association and the good government groups they would never let themselves be used that way.

Here's the email and I'll post my response then lets wait and see the timing of the reports release.

From: Davis, Evan A. [mailto:edavis@cgsh.com]
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 11:32 AM
To: Davis, Evan A.
Subject: JCOPE Review

Dear Members of the Legislature, General Counsels to State Departments and Agencies, Executive Directors of Good Government Groups, Lobbying Firm Managing Partners and Professors of State and Local Government Law:

The Government Ethics Committee of the New York City Bar, in cooperation with Common Cause New York and the League of Women Voters, has undertaken to report on the Joint Committee on Public Ethics established by the Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 signed into law on August 15, 2011. The report will consider how well the Act is functioning in practice, whether amendments to the Act are required, how well JCOPE is fulfilling its responsibilities and the apparent cause of any shortcomings found (e.g. budget constraints, statutory defects, inadequately trained or experienced staff).

I am heading up the Subcommittee preparing this report. Our group has prepared the attached short questionnaire to aid our work. I write to ask that you complete it and return it to me promptly. It is your choice whether to identify yourself, and if you do no statement or view will be attributed to you or your organization without your consent. If you would like to speak to a member of the Committee please indicate that when you return the form. The form may be returned

anonymously by mailing it to me at the address below. Or it can be emailed back to me when completed.

Thank you very much for your attention and consideration.

Best regards,

Evan Davis 

My responses I hope they help Evan

 

Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) Questionnaire

 

Identifying Information (optional)

1.)    Please check the group of which you are a member:

___ Executive Branch

___ Legislative Branch

_X__ Good Government Group

___ Lobbying Group

___ Newspaper Editorial Board

___ Academic Institution

___ Other ___________________________

 

2.)    Please provide your contact information (optional):

Name:_David Grandeau

Employer:_Ethics Watch

Email address:dg@davidgrandeau.com

Daytime phone number: 5184618635

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questionnaire

1.)    In your opinion, on a scale of 1-5 (1 meaning “not necessary,” 5 meaning “very necessary,” and N meaning “no basis for an opinion”), how necessary are amendments to the following areas of the JCOPE statute (please circle one number and explain your answer):

a.       Appointment of Commission Members:    1    2    3    4    5    N

Please explain your answer: It depends on the people appointed stupid!!!!  Now if you change the appointment structure to give the governor more control things will run smoother but JJOKE will be more of a tool for the governor than an independent ethics body.

 

b.   Investigations and Enforcement: 1 2 3 4 5 N  

Please explain your answer:You want to give JJOKE more investigative power?  I’m all for it if they investigate Common Cause’s source of funding disclosure which only listed one donor.  They have had 18 months and all they have done is look at sex sex sex.  They don’t need more power they need better people

 

 

c.       Financial Disclosure Requirements:   1    2    3    4    5    N

Please explain your answer: who cares no one reviews what we have now.  It’s the people stupid!!!

   

d.      Other (please list) _________________________: 1 2 3 4 5N

Please explain your answer:amend the statute so all actions are done in public session and the public gets to see how corrupt JJOKE is

 

2.)    On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 meaning “poor,” 5 meaning “excellent,” and N meaning “no basis for an opinion”) how would you rate JCOPE’s performance in the following areas (please circle one number and explain your answer):

 

a.       Training and Education: 1 2 3 4 5 N

Please explain your answer:LOLOLOLOLOL what training? The head of training is a JJOKE commissioners niece fired by the former ethics agency.  Have any members of the NYC bar actually attended a training?  Nuff said  It’s the people stupid!!!!

 

b.      Responsiveness to Advisory Requests: 1 2 3 4 5 N

Please explain your answer:You have got to be kidding.  I have over 20 requests for opinions pending some of which go back to 2009.

 

c.       Public Relations and Outreach: 1 2 3 4 5 N

Please explain your answer: Milgram makes over $100k and all he says is “no comment”   It’s JJOKE for a reason.

 

d.      Investigations and Enforcement

Please explain your answer: Go ask Vito Lopez.  Everyone else has gotten a pass.  Unregistered lobbyists like the state Democratic campaign committee, Yoko Ono and the Artists against Fracking, source of funding not filed by NYCLU and Family Planning Advocates or incomplete filings by Susan Lerner at Common Cause NY.  Dumb question given how little has been done

 

3.)    On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 meaning “poor,” 5 meaning “excellent,” and N meaning “no basis for an opinion”) how would you rate the adequacy of JCOPE’s resources in the following areas (please circle one number and explain your answer):

 

a.       Information Technology (IT):    1    2    3    4    5     N

Please explain your answer: Try to use the online system during filing deadlines.  That is if it is actually up and running.  If you want to see a system that works look at the NYC Lobby online filing system

  

b.      Staffing:    1    2    3    4    5    N

Please explain your answer: IT”S THE PEOPLE STUID!!!!  How many of Biben’s buddies are still working there?

   

c.       Budget:    1    2    3    4    5    N

 

 

Please explain your answer:They want more and you would just be throwing good money after bad.  You could outsource the work for 75% of the budget and get it done right.

4.)    What changes do you think should be made with regard to JCOPE’s resources?

You don’t give an infant a bigger gun you give them a rattle and a diaper change

 

5.)   What do you consider to be JCOPE’s main successes?

I’m not aware of any other than Commissioner and staff resignations

 6.)    What do you consider to be JCOPE’s primary shortcomings?

IT”S THE PEOPLE STUPID!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Thank you for your cooperation and participation!