If you want to know how much your local government is spending on private lobbyists to lobby the Legislature, the Florida House has a web page devoted to disclosing it. But though House Speaker Richard Corcoran promised the web page would provide “transformational” transparency, the House forgot one thing: to post all the data. Records obtained by […]
Read More… from Florida ethics rule to make government spending more transparent not enforced
A Broward judge on Wednesday authorized the public release of more video from cameras positioned outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during February’s mass shooting. The video may shed more light on the law enforcement response to Nikolas Cruz’s Feb. 14 rampage, during which he shot 17 to death and wounded 17 others. Attorneys for the Broward School Board […]
Read More… from Broward judge authorizes release of more video from outside Parkland school shooting
The Sunshine State is about to shine a light on its own criminal-justice system: Florida will soon become the first state in the country to require all of its counties to release certain data pertaining to jails, policing, prisons, and courts. A bill passed by the state legislature earlier this month requires counties to gather, […]
Read More… from Florida Will Bring More Transparency to Its Justice System
TALLAHASSEE Nearly a dozen new exemptions to public records are poised to become law after this year’s legislative session, as lawmakers chipped away at what information is available to the public under the state’s Sunshine Law. At least two of those exemptions — crafted as part of the state’s response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas […]
Read More… from Florida legislature adds to the more than 1,000 exceptions to public records law
The top leaders of Broward Health have been indicted on charges of violating Florida’s public meetings law, throwing the public hospital system into the worst turmoil of its years of crises and investigations. A grand jury indictment names Broward Health board chairman Rocky Rodriguez, interim CEO Beverly Capasso, General Counsel Lynn Barrett, board member Christopher […]
Read More… from Broward Health leaders indicted on charges of violating open-meetings law
In a debate that could reshape how the state handles its Sunshine laws, Florida lawmakers are swiftly advancing a bill that proponents say will crack down on “economic terrorists” that are abusing state law by extorting money from governments through frivolous and misleading public records requests.
But opponents say the solution is an overreaction that will “gut” the state’s open records laws and permanently cloud its Sunshine Law tradition.
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Read More… from Will a one-word change wreck or improve Florida’s public records law?
Open government in Florida is under attack and the Florida First Amendment Foundation (FAF) is taking action.
Gathering in Orlando on Monday, Nov. 16, FAF and other members of the Florida Sunshine Coalition will discuss the issues and open government challenges Florida citizens face today and those the Coalition anticipates for the 2016 legislative session. They will decide on a platform for the Coalition and develop a plan for moving forward.
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Two telecommunications companies contend in a new lawsuit that the administration of Gov. Rick Scott is flouting the state's public records law.
The lawsuit is an outgrowth of a dispute over a nearly $400 million state contract the Scott administration recently awarded to a subsidiary of Florida-based Harris Corp. Continue…
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Read More… from Florida sued once again over handling of public records
From Huffington Post: Tallahassee, Fla., attorney Steven Andrews filed a new lawsuit against Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday, alleging that the Republican governor’s administration failed to release public records, according to The Associated Press.
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Read More… from Rick Scott, Pam Bondi sued in public records withholding
From The Ledger: LAKELAND | Five city commissioners say they want some answers about why the Lakeland Police Department continues to be embroiled in disputes over releasing public records.
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Read More… from Lakeland city commission seeks answers on ongoing LPD records disputes
