New York Gov. David Paterson has signed a bill cracking the code of silence at public authorities that run New York City's mass transit system, the state Thruway, and many other major services.
The measure improves openness by limiting the use of employee confidentiality agreements by public authorities. Another recent law opens their books to independent audits.
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said the public authorities long operated without proper scrutiny even though they collectively handle billions of dollars.
The newest statute makes it illegal for a public authority to prevent employees from disclosing anything about their work, except in certain cases when the information is kept confidential by law.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
