Public Ethics, Joint Commission on

Agency Web Site: http://www.jcope.ny.gov

Mission

The mission of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is to ensure compliance with financial disclosure and ethical standards to foster public trust and confidence in government. Established in 2011 by the Public Integrity Reform Act, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics succeeds the Commission on Public Integrity and assumes responsibility for administering and enforcing the State’s ethics and lobbying statutes along with anti-nepotism laws and the New York State “little Hatch Act.” The scope of the new agency is broadened to include responsibility for not only executive branch employees and elected officials, but also legislative employees.

The Commission is comprised of 14 appointed members and has jurisdiction over 190,000 statewide officials, state officers and employees, and candidates for statewide elected office and political party chairs. These individuals annually file over 27,000 financial disclosure statements. Additionally, approximately 6,600 lobbyists representing 4,100 clients reported spending $200 million in 2010 on their lobbying efforts. The Commission is responsible for issuing formal and informal advisory opinions to those under its jurisdiction, providing comprehensive outreach and education programs, administering a website that offers online filing, and conducting investigations and holding hearings to enforce the laws under the Commission’s mandate.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends $4.1 million for JCOPE, an increase of $222,000 from the 2011-12 budget of the Commission on Public Integrity which JCOPE replaced. This increase provides for start-up cost of the new agency and their expanded role.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 45 FTEs, unchanged from the staffing complement of the Commission on Public Integrity when it was fully operational.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2012

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables