Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Diane RobertsFebruary 9, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — They call us the Sunshine State, but Florida’s government prefers to operate in the shadows. Like vampire bats, cockroaches and mold spores. If you can’t see what the government is doing, you can’t fight it. That explains the 74 public records exemption bills before the Legislature this session. Yes, 74 new attacks […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2016

Despite the Florida House of Representatives’ frequent complaint of judicial overreach, a House panel Wednesday OK’d a measure that would put more power in the hands of judges as it possibly weakens the state’s public record law. The Government Operations Subcommittee by a 12-0 vote approved the bill (HB 1021) that gives judges discretion whether to award attorney […]

Jim RosicaDecember 14, 2015

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The Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, the state’s public records and open meetings watchdog, is considering a partnership with The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. Foundation President Barbara Petersen told FloridaPolitics.com the two groups are working on an agreement in which Poynter, a nonprofit journalism education organization, “will assume all of the Foundation’s administrative responsibilities.” That will include handling […]

Jim RosicaOctober 29, 2015

A Tampa lawmaker has filed a bill that would shield the identities of “witness(es) to a felony” from being released to the public. State Rep. Ed Narain, a first-term Democrat, submitted his bill (HB 475) on Thursday. The legislation creates an exemption from Florida public records law of witnesses’ “personal identifying information,” prohibiting its disclosure, including to […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2015

Clearwater GOP Sen. Jack Latvala‘s expansive and controversial bill that would exempt the employment history of police officers exempt from public records disclosure sailed through the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday. Latvia said he realized the need for the legislation after a Clearwater man was able to unearth information about a Clearwater police officer by […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2015

Clearwater GOP Sen. Jack Latvala‘s expansive and controversial bill that would exempt the employment history of police officers exempt from public records disclosure sailed through the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday. Latvia said he realized the need for the legislation after a Clearwater man was able to unearth information about a Clearwater police officer by […]

Tag: Barbara Petersen

Diane Roberts: Legislature is working hard to keep citizens in the dark

House panel clears what critics call “weakening” of open government

First Amendment Foundation, Poynter Institute may team up

Bill would protect names of criminal witnesses

Jack Latvala’s law enforcement shield bill advances to Senate floor

Jack Latvala's law enforcement shield bill advances to Senate floor