Laura Moraff, an attorney with The Legal Aid Society’s Digital Forensics Unit, has penned a new op-ed in City Limits in support of legislation to fix New York’s FOIL problem.

FOIL stands for “Freedom of Information Law,” which allows the public to access government documents. And while there are certain exceptions, all government agencies are required to provide documents when they are requested.

However, City agencies have dragged their feet in producing documents. The New York City Office of Technology and Innovation recently extended its deadline to respond to a FOIL request by Legal Aid for the 40th time. Proposed legislation at both the City and State levels would improve turnaround time and efficiency, for both requestors and agencies.

“It is time for New York City to pave the way to a modern, functioning FOIL landscape,” Moraff writes in part. “The public is unable to understand, debate, and challenge government practices if it is kept in the dark about what they are.”

Read the full piece here.