SARASOTA — Instant public access to the emails of hundreds of Sarasota city officials and employees has been restricted by the city in a move some citizens and public records experts call an abandonment of transparency and erosion of public trust. The removal more than a year ago of a City Hall kiosk containing access […]
Tag: florida open records
Florida – City to consider text messaging, public records policy
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — The City of Tallahassee will consider a new public records policy regarding text messages to and from city employees at its December meeting. In an item outlined in the meeting agenda, the City states, “As text messaging has become more prevalent, the City must develop a uniform system for retaining text […]
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Florida: Workers’ comp group appeals case regarding Florida’s Sunshine Law
A circuit court ruling that that said a workers' compensation group violated Florida's open records laws by not ensuring committee hearings and supporting documentation on a proposed rate increase were made available to the public is under appeal.
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Port St. Lucie Councilman Bowen charged with violating open records laws; Faiella, Martin face civil infractions
From TCPALM: Port St. Lucie Councilman Ron Bowen has been charged with violating the state’s open records laws and civil infractions have been levied against Mayor JoAnn Faiella and Councilwoman Shannon Martin in connection with the dismissal of former City Manager Greg Oravec, State Attorney Bruce Colton said Monday.
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Rick Scott, Pam Bondi sued in public records withholding
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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Florida teacher value-added data is public record, appeal court rules
From The Florida Times-Union: The Times-Union sued the state in February for the data’s release. Tuesday’s decision reverses a lower circuit court ruling in March, which concluded the data were exempt from public inspection.
According to state law a teacher’s evaluation is not subject to disclosure under the public records law until a year following the school year in which the evaluation was given, but “it does not follow that any information or data used to prepare the evaluation is likewise exempt from disclosure,” the appeal court ruled.
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Read More… from Florida teacher value-added data is public record, appeal court rules
Florida legislature considering bill that would close presidential searches
From Student Press Law Center: FLORIDA — A Florida representative has reintroduced a bill that, if enacted, would exempt public colleges from having to disclose the names of executive candidates.
Meetings where officials discuss identifying information of presidential, provost or dean candidates would also be exempt from the state’s open meetings act. Public colleges would be required to release the names of finalists at least 21 days before officials meet publicly to make a final selection. If passed, it would take effect Oct. 1, 2014.
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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for October 11, 2013
From NFOIC: 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.
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Read More… from NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for October 11, 2013
City may sue pension board
From Highlands Today: AVON PARK, FL. – Avon Park City Manager Julian Deleon believes the time to wait is over in his recommendation to file a lawsuit in connection with his public records request of police pension plan officials.
In a Sept. 18 letter to the City Council, Deleon said it has been more than seven weeks since a public records request was initiated from police pension board administrator Carol Knapp and board chairman Greg Warner.
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Muslim group demands public records after county communications staffer posts anti-Islamic message
From Palm Beach Post: One of the state’s leading Muslim groups on Friday asked Palm Beach County officials to turn over all of the social media comments made on county computers by a public affairs employee who posted an anti-Islamic message on his private Facebook page.
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