Removes Concrete Barriers on State Street; Reopens Hall of Governors on 2nd Floor to Give Public Greater Access to Their Government
ALBANY, NY (01/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an Executive Order, the first of his administration, removing physical barriers erected in and around the New York State Capitol in order to give the public greater access to their government. As a result of the Executive Order, a series of concrete barriers stretching the length of the Capitol along State Street will be immediately removed
The order also reopens the Hall of Governors on the second floor of the Capitol to the public. The Hall, where many of the executive chamber offices are located, has been closed to the public since 1995.
"This is more than just a symbolic gesture, this literally reopens areas of the Capitol building that have been closed to the public for years," Governor Cuomo said. "In order to restore faith and trust in government, we have to tear down barriers that have excluded people from the governing process. Today we take the first step in that effort."
The Executive Order is available here.
The Governor's words notwithstanding, this is largely a symbolic victory. That said, it's a symbolic victory I can get behind.
Well played, Governor.
