JCOPE'S nose is growing

The Times Union's Casey Seiler wrote a story about JJOKE wanting to be more open but complaining it is constrained by the law it operates under.  You can read it here http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-ethics-panel-seeks-more-clout-leeway-6060354.php

Specifically Casey wrote "The panel has been criticized as ineffective in part due to laws that prevent it from giving a proper account of its level of activity."  Now that's not a quote from someone at JJOKE that's Casey's factual reporting.   Small problem Casey . . . there are no laws that PREVENT JJOKE from giving a proper account of it's level of activity.  There are laws that make much of it's activity confidential unless JCOPE decides to make that information publicly available.    It is up to JCOPE what information it chooses to keep confidential and which information it makes public.

The actual language is found in Executive Law section 94 sub 9-a(b) and reads as follows:

 

"Any confidential communication to any person or entity outside the commission related to the matters before the commission may occur only as authorized by the commission."

And not to belabor the point MAY OCCUR ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION

MAY

Last I checked MAY means can all that JJOKE has to do if they really want to make information available, as they and you claim they do, is have a vote to authorize it.

ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

But it does require a reporter to do more than spell check.

Here's hoping you get better at this stuff Casey.

As to JJOKE  aren't you tired of excuses and blaming the statute for things you do not have the integrity to take responsibility for?

Next meeting all those JJOKE commissioners that want more openness make a motion pursuant to Executive Law section 94 sub 9-a(b) and if it doesn't pass demand the resignation of those that vote against it.

If you will not ask for openness then shut up and stop complaining that you are an orphan after you killed your parents.