Gov. Crist Steps up on open government

The big June news for Florida editors is Gov. Crist’s announcement of a Commission on Open Government. The nine-member commission is loaded with long-time friends of openness, such as Bob Butterworth and Sandy D’Alemberte, and chaired by Barbara Petersen of the First Amendment Foundation. FSNE President Jeanne Grinstead is a prominent member.

The commission’s mission is to review and recommend changes to Florida’s Sunshine Laws, which determine public access to government meetings and records. One expected target will be the several hundred piecemeal exemptions the legislature has granted since enactment of the Sunshine Laws. The Governor made clear at his press conference announcing the commission that there will be no restrictions on where members can look, meaning the legislature’s own rules that allow secret deliberations on such vital matters as tax law changes could be a reform target. The commission has a Dec. 31, 2008 deadline for completing work and recommending changes.

It is imperative Florida newspapers turn out for the four public hearings scheduled around the state: August 22-23 in Tallahassee; Oct. 16-17 in Orlando; Feb. 12-13 and May 20-21 at sites to be named in southeast and southwest Florida. Petersen says it is important that journalists and citizens bring with them specific examples of barriers to access, such as exorbitant copying fees and unduly complicated processes. Start collecting those anecdotes now and plan to attend or send a representative to one or more of the public hearings.

Among the issues to be considered by the commission are the following: “The relevance and redundancy of all exemptions to government meetings and records. Fees and charges imposed for inspecting and copying public records in light of advances in information technology. Collection, storage, retrieval, dissemination and accessibility of public records through advanced technologies, including Internet access. Current policies regarding the public’s right to participate in agency meetings subject to the Sunshine Law, including, but not limited to, the right to speak at meetings and whether such meetings conducted through the use of telephone, video conference or other remote electronic means is consistent with rights guaranteed by the Florida Constitution.”