From The Ledger.com:
The 2013 Florida Legislature officially closed out last week when Gov. Rick Scott finished acting on the last bills to reach his desk.
One of the winners of the session was Florida's open-government tradition. Scott and legislative leaders can take a good share of the credit for that.
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From Naple Daily News: A dozen bills dealing with public record exemptions were approved by state lawmakers during the 2013 legislative session. Here’s a quick look at those bills:
■ SB 4: Creates a temporary exemption for written referrals of possible ethics violations submitted to the state ethics commission.
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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
From TCPalm: You’ve heard of cheating in the classroom but the Contact 5 Investigators have uncovered a cheating scandal in the Martin County 911 dispatch center.
Through public records request, NewsChannel 5 obtained personnel records and internal affairs audio tapes outlining a test cheating case involving 911 dispatchers and deputies in the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
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From The Ledger: LAKELAND | City commissioners plan to discuss on Friday a proposed ordinance that would change the way public records are available.
The proposed change would allow the city to charge people if employees spend more than 30 minutes on a public records request.
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Read More… from Lakeland to discuss change in way public records are available
A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.
New Mexico court nixes damages against NM attorney general
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Read More… from NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for April 26, 2013
From News-Press.com:
It seems like a reasonable idea: Before the records in a criminal or civil case can be made public, Florida’s clerks of court must purge them of all Social Security, credit card and bank numbers.
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Read More… from Many Florida counties lacking in public records compliance
From Tampa Bay Times:
Veteran state legislator Mike Fasano was honored Thursday by the First Amendment Foundation for his efforts improving transparency in government.
Foundation president Barbara Petersen praised Fasano’s long record of ensuring the legislative process remains open and accessible while representing the people’s interests, most notably in the 2012 session.
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Read More… from Rep. Mike Fasano earns open government award
From FlaglerLive.com:
How well does your state legislature give its citizens access to its information? This Sunshine Week, as we reflect on the public’s right to know and the importance of open government, this should be a central question.
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Read More… from Improving Florida legislatures’ transparency
