Project Sunlight

New Government Website Pulls the Curtain Back on Albany and Gives New Yorkers Easy Access to Campaign Finance, Lobbying, Agency Contracts, Member Item, and Legislation Databases

“Project Sunlight” is a website launched by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office which allows for real-time tracking of seven state databases and the links between them.  The goal of the project is to promote, disclose, as well as to increase the government’s transparency and accountability. This website - the first of its kind in New York - allows for easy access to statewide government information that was previously scattered and difficult to retrieve. “Project Sunlight” is a critical component of the effort to enhance the public’s understanding and oversight of state government and builds on legislative reforms enacted in recent years including ethics and budget reform and passage of a stronger FOIL law. 

Project Sunlight includes information on:
• The basics of state government
• How candidates report campaign finances
• What lobbyists are required to publicly report
• Member items categorized by the name of the sponsoring elected official and the county in which the money is directed
• Both for-profit and not-for-profit corporations registered in NYS
•  Legislative votes *(not complete, will be added to website in the future)

Project Sunlight also includes:
• A state map allowing users to search for member item spending by locality
• Videos to enhance understanding of educational materials
• Portions translated into Spanish

www.sunlightny.com