Brewer asks Van Auken about safeguards against political work
Brewer asks what safeguards ensure OME does not engage in political work and what training exists; Van Auken says established legal rules govern separation of government and political activity and that everyone in the office takes them seriously, but she would follow up on training specifics.
Back to the commissioner.
What safeguards are in place to ensure that the office is not engaging in political work?
Thank you for that question.
There are established legal rules governing separation between government activity and political activity, and our office, everyone in it, operates within those rules.
I take those rules very seriously, and everyone in our office takes those rules very seriously.
Our office's work is focused on government functions, connecting New Yorkers to services and information, soliciting public opinion, and expanding participation in civic life.
Okay, so what kind of training do you do to make sure that people don't do political work?
It's hard sometimes for people not to do that.
They don't know.
Thank you.
It's a good question.
We do have different trainings.
I would have to follow up with you on the specifics.
I would be interested.
But it's something that we take very seriously across the office.