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 promote public trust in government by ensuring compliance with the State's ethics and lobbying laws. Established in 2011 by the Public Integrity Reform Act, JCOPE was granted broad oversight over the executive and legislative branches of government.

Organization and Staffing

The Commission consists of 14 members. Appointing authority and terms for the commissioners vary according to the law. A Chairperson is selected and appointed by the Governor. JCOPE maintains a statewide presence with offices in Albany, New York City and Buffalo. The commissioners appoint the Executive Director, responsible for overseeing JCOPE's day-to-day operation and core functions. The Executive Director is also charged with establishing an organization plan to streamline operations and improve efficiency and effectiveness. JCOPE’s mission is carried out by five divisions: Ethics, Lobbying, Investigations/Enforcement, Communications/Public Information, and Administration.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2018 Executive Budget recommends $5.6 million and a workforce of 58 FTEs for JCOPE, unchanged from FY 2017.

Program Highlights

JCOPE has jurisdiction over 250,000 executive and legislative officials and employees, who file approximately 29,000 financial disclosure statements annually, as well as approximately 6,900 lobbyists and their 4,700 clients who reported spending $243 million for their lobbying efforts during 2015. JCOPE provides information, education and guidance regarding current ethics and lobbying laws, and ensures compliance with these laws through audits, investigations and enforcement proceedings. JCOPE, upon request, provides the public with required disclosures filed by those under its jurisdiction.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category	Available FY 2017	Appropriations Recommended FY 2018	Change From FY 2017	Reappropriations Recommended FY 2018
State Operations	5,582,000	5,582,000	0	0
Total	5,582,000	5,582,000	0	0

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program	FY 2017 Estimated FTEs 03/31/17	FY 2018 Estimated FTEs 03/31/18	FTE Change
Public Ethics
General Fund	58	58	0
Total	58	58	0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2017	Recommended FY 2018	Change
General Fund	5,582,000	5,582,000	0
Total	5,582,000	5,582,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2017	Recommended FY 2018	Change
Public Ethics
General Fund	5,582,000	5,582,000	0
Total	5,582,000	5,582,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Personal Service Regular (Annual Salaried)
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	4,682,000	0	4,637,000	0
Total	4,682,000	0	4,637,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Temporary Service (Nonannual Salaried)		Holiday/Overtime Pay
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	0	0	45,000	0
Total	0	0	45,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Supplies and Materials
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	900,000	0	80,000	0
Total	900,000	0	80,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Travel		Contractual Services
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	40,000	0	730,000	0
Total	40,000	0	730,000	0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Equipment
Program	Amount	Change
Public Ethics	50,000	0
Total	50,000	0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017

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