From the Florida First Amendment Foundation:
(February 4, 2013) — Beginning February 4, the First Amendment Foundation will take to the highways for a statewide Sunshine Tour, meeting with editorial boards and citizens throughout Florida to talk about Sunshine in Government.
Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation, will be making the rounds across the state to discuss legislative proposals and possible reforms relating to transparency and access.
After the tour, the First Amendment Foundation will focus on both the problems and solutions, and will host a Sunshine Summit at St. Petersburg College Saturday, March 16, to discuss reform initiatives in the critical areas of accountability, transparency and access. The summit will be free and open to the public, and representatives from a wide variety of interest groups and non-profits will be invited to participate. Noted author and political commentator Diane Roberts will be the keynote speaker.
According to data released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Florida led the nation in federal public corruption convictions from 2000 – 2010. This is a story that received broad coverage throughout the state, but what few reporters or pundits have talked about is how to shed this dubious distinction. Without strong transparency, accountability and access, public officials can easily hide their criminal activity.
Petersen will be in the following cities on the following days to meet with editorial boards and anyone else interested in discussing their ideas for reforming the sunshine laws and improving the public’s ability to oversee its government and hold it accountable.
Monday, February 4: Ft. Walton and Panama City
Tuesday, February 5: Gainesville and Ocala
Wednesday, February 6: Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Lakeland
Thursday, February 7: Fort Myers and Naples
Monday, February 11: Bradenton and Sarasota
Monday, February 25: Miami and Ft. Lauderdale
Tuesday, February 26: West Palm Beach and Vero Beach
Wednesday, February 27: Orlando and Melbourne
Thursday, February 28: Jacksonville and St. Augustine
Friday, March 1: Daytona BeachFor more information or to set up an editorial board meeting or citizen meeting, please contact FAF staff at 850.224.4555 or email Rhianna@floridafaf.org.
The Florida First Amendment Foundation is a member of NFOIC. — eds