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Project Sunlight website now offers open government link

The government transparency website Project Sunlight has been expanded by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to include the user friendly New York Open Government feature.

Project Sunlight, which contains a collection of information compiled by the Attorney General's Office, was created in 2007 by then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, will now help voters and government watchdogs hold state government accountable by offering up-to-date campaign contribution, lobbying and state contract data. The upgrade allows users to search multiple databases from one entry point and makes it easier for information gathered to be shared through social media.

“Secrecy breeds corruption, while transparency generates confidence,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “New York Open Government will help the public keep an eye on what their government is doing in order to deter corruption and increase confidence in the public sector. This site is a one-stop-shop for New Yorkers demanding up-to-date and comprehensive information about their government.”

The new website is now accessible at www.nyopengovernment.com.

In response to the new feature, New York Public Interest Research Group Legislative Counsel Russ Haven said in a statement, “Attorney General Schneiderman’s New York Open Government website provides a ‘one-stop shopping’ place for average New Yorkers as well as sophisticated researchers to find information about elected officials and those seeking to influence them.

The features will make it easier to access, organize and ultimately make sense of information as never before. This is an important resource for New Yorkers trying to keep tabs on government.”

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