During the 2022 State of the State speech, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a plan to replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) with an independent watchdog agency prioritizing transparency.

While JCOPE members are appointed by elected officials, the new agency would have a rotating board of five members made up of the 15 state-accredited law school deans or their designees.

These members will be prohibited from communicating with outside parties regarding any potential or ongoing investigations.

Unlike JCOPE, the new agency would be subject to the Freedom of Information Law and the Open Meetings Law.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he was calling a special session of the Legislature during his State of the State address, delivered virtually for the first time in the state’s history.

He called the special session to consider the State Unemployment System.

Evers explained that, due to an outdated system, the Department of Workforce Development has struggled to keep up with an unprecedented number of claims.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo tackled several issues at his recent State of the State Address.

Cuomo acknowledged the corruption at all levels of government, and proposed plans for a full-time Legislature, term limits for elected officials, an increase to the inspector general’s powers, and a strategy to limit campaign contributions from major companies.

Additionally, he also intends to appoint a new chief procurement officer, require public funding for elections, and recruit new inspectors for the State Education Department and the Port Authority.

Gov. Cuomo also acknowledged the success of all of his proposed bills and amendments depend on the public’s currently deteriorating trust in New York’s leaders.