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Public Ethics, Joint Commission on

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Agency Web Site: https://www.jcope.ny.govLink to External Website

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 2020 Executive Budget recommends $5.6 million All Funds appropriation and a workforce of 52 FTEs, unchanged from the previous fiscal year.

Program Highlights

JCOPE has jurisdiction over 250,000 executive and legislative officials and employees, who file approximately 32,000 financial disclosure statements annually, as well as approximately 7,300 lobbyists and their 4,900 clients who reported spending $240 million for their lobbying efforts during 2017. 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 2019		 Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020		 Change From
FY 2019		 Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
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 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19		 FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20		 FTE Change
Public Ethics
General Fund 52 52 0
Total 52 52 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019		 Recommended
FY 2020		 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 2019		 Recommended
FY 2020		 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 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
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 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)		 Holiday/Overtime Pay
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 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
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 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
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 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Public Ethics 50,000 0
Total 50,000 0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019

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