Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

ALBANY, NY – The Albany County Legislature this week unanimously approved a plan (Resolution 872 is attached) that will make it easier for citizens and media alike to follow meetings more easily.

“We really want people to either attend or watch our meetings from home,” said Legislator Mark Grimm (R-Guilderland). “Yet the poor quality and audio of the meetings is a turn-off to people who’d like to follow us.”

The legislature will invest $150,000 ($79,000 of it from American Rescue Plan funds) in technical audio and visual upgrades, including improving digital distribution, as part of ongoing efforts to modernize legislative operations.

Grimm and Legislator Lynne Lekakis (D-Albany) co-sponsored a sweeping modernization resolution in 2018 that would also include enhancing transparency by making member voting records available electronically as soon as possible after floor votes. It would be especially helpful to both media and citizens alike to have controversial roll call votes available within minutes of the vote. That move still remains on the to-do list.

In January 2024, Grimm wrote a letter (attached) to Chair Joanne Cunningham requesting placement of microphones at every legislator’s desk, as is the case at the Chair’s desk, and in the State Legislature and numerous county legislatures across New York. He also asked for the much-needed voting records technology.

“I’m glad the full legislature took this step forward and I will continue to press hard for more needed improvements that enhance transparency for all,” Grimm added.