I live in a neighborhood where working at the local grocery store is considered a great job. Last year a neighbor across the street learned how to pronounce my name and started greeting me with a smile. Could you, please, justify releasing salary information via government employees first and last name as pose to job title or position?

While waiting for an answer I would like to point out that obviously this question is in a context (so that elected and high-profile officials are excluded). Anyhow, I need help understanding why releasing salaries over the word wide web by using the first and last name of employees who are known to only a tiny circle of people?

If you are a public employee, your employment record is a matter of public record as outlined in the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). As such, sharing payroll, expenditure and contract data gives all New Yorkers a clearer view of how their state and local tax dollars are spent.