Public Ethics, Joint Commission on

skip breadcrumbs

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. JCOPE’s mission is carried out by five divisions: Ethics, Lobbying, Investigations/Enforcement, Communications/Public Information, and Administration.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2022 Executive Budget recommends $5.6 million in All Funds appropriations. This includes a $12,000 increase from FY 2021 due to increased lease costs. The FY 2022 Executive Budget recommends 46 FTEs, which is unchanged from the previous year.

Program Highlights

JCOPE has jurisdiction over executive and legislative officials and employees, who file approximately 36,000 financial disclosure statements annually, as well as approximately 8,300 lobbyists and their 4,500 clients who reported spending $298 million for their lobbying efforts during 2019. 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 2021
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2022
Change From
FY 2021
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2022
State Operations 5,582,000 5,594,000 12,000 0
Total 5,582,000 5,594,000 12,000 0

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2021
Estimated FTEs
03/31/21
FY 2022
Estimated FTEs
03/31/22
FTE Change
Public Ethics
General Fund 46 46 0
Total 46 46 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2021
Recommended
FY 2022
Change
General Fund 5,582,000 5,594,000 12,000
Total 5,582,000 5,594,000 12,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2021
Recommended
FY 2022
Change
Public Ethics
General Fund 5,582,000 5,594,000 12,000
Total 5,582,000 5,594,000 12,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 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 2022 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 2022 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Public Ethics 912,000 12,000 80,000 0
Total 912,000 12,000 80,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Public Ethics 40,000 0 742,000 12,000
Total 40,000 0 742,000 12,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2022 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Public Ethics 50,000 0
Total 50,000 0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/19/2021