On day one I will immediately allow the media to freely enter City Hall with cameras and recording devices without restrictions. During my tenure at City Hall I worked openly with the media on behalf of the Mayor and all Departments within City Hall. As a former reporter I know that one of the fundamental functions and responsibilities of the media is to provide timely and accurate information and promote accountability in government. The Ryan Administration’s decision to reverse a long standing policy at City Hall that allowed the media unobstructed access to City Hall was short-sighted and is in fact the opposite of transparency.

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I applauded the quick action of the New York State Legislature for quickly approving New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s proposed “New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act.” A comprehensive legislative package will simplify the process across the state, thereby making consolidation at the local level more feasible. Communities across New York face common fiscal challenges and its imperative we not only identify but take action on initiatives that will streamline government operations and thereby save taxpayer’s money.

The reforms I support are:

• The Act establishes “uniformed, simplified and streamlines procedures”
• The Act empowers governing bodies to initiate consolidation and dissolution processes for all covered local government entities
• The Act empowers citizens to place consolidation of dissolution on a popular ballot
• The Act clarifies the petition process
• The Act establishes a uniform signature requirement across New York
• The Act authorizes counties to abolish entire units of local government

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