The Florida Sunshine Review spotlights the latest news on Florida open government laws and freedom of information (FOI) issues, with special emphasis on public records and open meetings developments. For similar Florida items plus mass media news, see the monthly Brechner Report from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida.

January 27, 2008

Florida Times-Union, by Mary Kelli Palka: Grand jury returns no indictments in Jacksonville City Council Sunshine probe with release of presentment pending …
Tampa Tribune editorial: Tampa Bay Water board’s secretive vote leaves public high and dry …
*Naples Daily News: Legal defense fund set up for Marco Island city councilman accused of violating public records law by deleting public e-mails on private account (*free registration required) …
Tallahassee Democrat, by TaMaryn Waters: Fish fry raises Sunshine questions in Leon County …
Fort Myers News-Press editorial: Refresher on open meetings in Cape Coral is a good idea …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, guest column by Barbara Petersen: Access to public records critical for democracy …

January 12, 2008

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Florida Times-Union, by Jim Schoettler: Florida Times-Union’s Sunshine Law probe earns top honors in North Central Florida SPJ awards …
*Naples Daily News, by Katherine Lewis: Secrecy prevailed among Collier County School Board before firing, attorney says (*free registration required) …
Florida Times-Union, by J. Taylor Rushing: Governor’s Sunshine panel marks its first year (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Vanessa Blum: Gag order raises questions in Liberty City terror trial (*free registration required) …
*Miami Herald, by Susannah A. Nesmith: Judge issues gag order in Sean Taylor murder case (*free registration required) …
*Naples Daily News, by Liam Dillon: Marco Island city council member vows to fight charges that he broke state public records laws (*free registration required) …