FOIL request to Governor Cuomo

Lets have fun with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)! Almost every resolution directs that a copy be sent to Governor Cuomo. Those copies are FOILable information. Lets order Governor Cuomo (his office really) to send you a list of all counties, municipalities, and other bodies which have opposed the law and copied the Governor on their opposition!  (There are probably some resolutions we don’t know about yet.)

Best of all, this process is very simple and will take up little time, just a simple email. If you don’t get a response within 5 days then the governor is breaking the law. More information on FOIL here: http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/freedomfaq.html

Ok, lets go, send an email to records.access@exec.ny.gov
Subject: FOIL Request
———————————————————————–
I am looking for information on resolutions which have been passed and sent to Governor Cuomo. Please send lists of the following categories:

1. all counties which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding the SAFE act or second amendment or gun rights
2. all cities which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding the SAFE act or second amendment or gun rights
3. all towns which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding the SAFE act or second amendment or gun rights
4. all villages which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding the SAFE act or second amendment or gun rights
5. all law enforcement groups which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding the SAFE act or second amendment or gun rights
6. all other governmental bodies which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding the SAFE act or second amendment or gun rights
7. all counties which have sent a copy of a resolution or other statement regarding use of their county seal, letterhead, or other identifying information
8. all records, correspondence, and reports in any form containing information related to actions under the Mental Hygine Law section 9.46.

In each of these lists, provide the name of the entity and whether the resolution or statement was in favor of the SAFE act, in opposition, or neutral.

Please return the results electronically and without charge per FOIL law.

Thank you
———————————————————————–

Send that email, then wait. If you do not receive a reply after 5 complete business days, send a follow up email saying that they are now not in compliance with the Freedom of Information Law.

We did this last year with great results:

• Governor Cuomo’s response to our FOIL request
• More information on our FOIL request

I urge you to get familiar with FOIL and use it as a tool when needed to get information from government at every level in New York State.