FOIL : the law and the future of public information in New York /

"Transparency" is a modern political buzz word. Orzechowski (Utica College) focuses on transparency and the laws governing it in the state of New York. The book centers on the 1974 New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which is akin to the federal Freedom of Information Act. This law allows anyone to request governmental records from the state of New York for any reason. Orzechowski arranges the book in five parts. Part 1 deals with the history of FOIL and the role of the media. Part 2 turns to the law and legislation itself, including a discussion of the updated FOIL passed in 1977. Parts 3 and 4 are concerned with citizens, interest groups, and bureaucrats and their interactions with FOIL. Finally, part 5 offers thoughts on the future of public information. The appendixes contain example FOIL cases and requests to further illustrate the law's importance. This book is written to be accessible to anyone interested in government transparency, administrative law, or New York politics and life in general. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. --Matthew Allen Malone, Lander University