New York Public Officers Law Section 100 - Legislative declaration.

 100. Legislative  declaration. It is essential to the maintenance of
  a democratic society that the public business be performed  in  an  open
  and  public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of
  and able to observe the performance of public officials and  attend  and
  listen  to  the  deliberations  and decisions that go into the making of
  public policy. The people must be able to remain informed if they are to
  retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the  only
  climate   under  which  the  commonweal  will  prosper  and  enable  the
  governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it.

Last modified: February 3, 2019