Come help us celebrate National Freedom of Information Day at the University of South Florida the evening of March 16. Citizens, journalists, and attorneys will engage in a lively discussion about Florida’s famed open government laws and their struggles accessing the records and meetings of our government. During the second half of the program, representatives…
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BY JASON GEARY LAKELAND — A Wauchula city commissioner has been removed from public office by Gov. Rick Scott for attending closed-to-the-public meetings and another four have resigned. Scott issued an executive order Friday suspending and removing Daniel Graham for violating Florida’s Sunshine Law. Olivia Minshew, acting city manager, confirmed Monday that resignation letters have…
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Nominations are still being accepted for a new inductee into the Open Government Hall of Fame. Heroes of the 50 States: The State Open Government Hall of Fame is a joint venture by the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Freedom of Information Coalition. It was developed by leaders in both organizations as a…
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RESTON, Va. — The organization responsible for administering Sunshine Week today issued a model open-government proclamation that can be used by citizens and community groups to fight for greater transparency in government. The “Sunshine Week Open Government Proclamation,” can be adapted for local, state and federal use by open-government activists, who can use language in…
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BY MICHAEL C. BENDER TALLAHASSEE — Three top Senate Republicans violated their chamber’s own open meeting requirement when they discussed the state budget at a private dinner with Gov. Rick Scott, a First Amendment attorney said Tuesday. “The meeting was held in a location not open to the public,” said Jim Rhea, director of the…
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The Associated Press Board of Directors voted this week to test a mobile version of the preprint circulars that newspapers insert in their weekend sections. The mobile advertising solution, called iCircular, differs from other online coupon and shopping solutions in that it focuses on driving customers into their local retail stores and providing them tools…
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BY LIZ FREEMAN COLLIER COUNTY — A Naples man has dropped his lawsuit against the Collier County Commission which argued a Sunshine Law violation occurred when two commissioners traveled to Maine last summer to tour Jackson Laboratory. The lawsuit was filed by John Lundin, who said the commission violated the public meetings law when it allowed…
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