Open Government

League of Women Voters^®
of Jacksonville First Coast

government sunshine. rights. Legislature T-U Dec 12, 2010.

State Law - Government in the Sunshine

"Throughout the history of Florida's open government, its courts have consistently supported the public's right of access to governmental meetings and records. As such, they also have been defining and redefining what a public record is and who is covered under the open meetings law.
"One area of public concern was whether or not the Legislature was covered under the open meetings requirements. To address that concerns, a Constitutional amendment was passed overwhelmingly by the voters in 1990 providing for open meetings in the legislative branch of government.
"The Attorney General's Office has consistently sought to safeguard Florida's pioneering Government-in-the-Sunshine laws. Our attorneys have worked, both in the courtroom and out, to halt public records violations.
"In 1991,a decision by the Florida Supreme Court raised questions which made it clear that the best way to ensure the public's right of access to all three branches of government was to secure that right through the Florida Constitution. The Attorney General's Office then drafted a definitive constitutional amendment, the successful passage of which in 1992 not only guaranteed continued openness in the state's government, but also in effect reaffirmed the application of open government to the legislative branch and expanded it to the judiciary.
"Florida voters have overwhelmingly showed their support for government in the sunshine at all levels of government. They have made it clear they believe that open government provides the best assurance of government that is responsive and responsible to the needs of the people."
Read more at My Florida Sunshine

Open Government Bill of Rights

Open Government Bill of Rights I.Members of the public are entitled to be treated with respect, courtesy and professionalism when dealing with the Department of Community Affairs.
II.Public records requests do not have to be made in writing, unless a specific statute requires otherwise. In that case, the person making the request shall be told which statute imposes the requirement.
III.All public records requests shall be acknowledged and handled promptly and in good faith, as required by common courtesy and Florida law.
IV.If the Department asserts that any requested public records document is exempt from release, the public has the right to receive a clear explanation.
V.Fees charged by the Department to make public records available shall not exceed the amounts authorized by law, and the Department shall clearly specify the statutory authority for such fees.
VI.Members of the public have the right to receive an itemized invoice of proposed fees or fees actually charged for making a public record available.
VII.Access to public records and to public meetings is a right granted by Florida law and will be respected at all times.
Florida Open Government http://www.dca.state.fl.us/OpenGovernment/BillofRights.cfm

"Shoring Up Ethics" Times-Union Editorial on needed changes to Florida ethics enforcement

"The Legislature shouldn't be deciding ethics penalties for its own members after commission investigations." -Times-Union editorial, Dec 12, 2010, Shoring Up Ethics.
Read the editorial.

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