Guest AuthorGov. Rick Scott would rather avoid those pesky public records requests by citizens who believe they have a right to know what state government is doing.
So what Lincoln called government of, by, and for the people is a hindrance to Scott and his ability to run the state as an autocratic and unaccountable CEO.
Call it what you will: arrogance, executive discretion, reasonable in the face of the annoying do-gooders looking for a cause and prize-chasing investigative reporters.
Whatever the motivation, the response is standard, too standard.
Here’s the deal: Nearly a year ago, Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews sought a subpoena for account information for e-mails sent to private Google and Yahoo addresses used by Scott and members of his executive staff. Andrews wanted to know is they were discussing state business on private accounts.
To block access to e-mail records, the Governor’s Office created a novel legal theory placing the onus on his staff to be responsible for handling public records requests privately.
This is bizarre because the tactic violates the spirit and letter of the Sunshine Laws. It also makes more difficult for citizens to get access to public records.
A Leon County circuit judge ordered the Scott administration to turn over the relevant information, but the lawsuit continues in California. Scott intends to pay his own legal expenses, which so far total $110,000.
Almost since the beginning of his administration, Scott has stonewalled public record requests and tried to circumvent the Sunshine Laws through legal or administrative subterfuge.
Scott’s contempt for the rule of law and public access is disturbing.
Scott has tried to appear transparent by re-establishing the Office of Open Government and creating “Project Sunburst” — a clearinghouse for everything from state employee salaries to access to communications within his office. But these are cynical gestures.
Even more problematic are his labyrinthine financial dealings, which do more to obscure the real source of his income. His use of a blind trust leaves it unclear whether he still maintains active control of his investments and whether he could benefit financially by decisions he makes in office.
The Miami Herald has reported that Scott has refused to fully report his assets in state filings and:
- That there is a discrepancy between his federal and state income disclosures, around $41 million.
- That the complicated relationship between various “family trusts” and his stake as a “beneficiary” owner, distorts the concept of a “blind trust.”
- That a $53,430 investment by one of his companies in a 474-mile pipeline by Florida Power & Light has been inadequately disclosed and appears to be a conflict of interest.
- FPL is a big contributor to Scott’s campaign.
Is that Florida sunshine at its best? No. Let the public stay in the dark.
Chris Timmons is a writer living in Tallahassee. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
