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.

October 27, 2008

Northwest Daily News, by Dusty Ricketts: Fort Walton Beach to address Sunshine Law violations and revisit 125 development projects …
Tampa Tribune, guest column by Charles Davis: Elected officials give public the slip by using private e-mail accounts …
Boston Globe, by Coleman M. Herman: Public records should be public but aren’t always in Massachusetts (note Florida reference in this piece) …
Bradenton Herald, by Executive Editor Joan Krauter: Bulletin boards sufficient to announce meeting, Spring Hill fire district attorney says …

October 22, 2008

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Fort Myers News-Press, by Bill Cotterell: Special open government panel urges law that would require the state to reveal its personal records on citizens …
Central Florida Future, by Stephanie Wilken: Open government experts say University of Central Florida impeachment process regarding Student Government Association senator may have violated state Sunshine Law …

October 21, 2008

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Northwest Florida Daily News, by Dusty Ricketts: City of Fort Walton Beach violated Sunshine Law for seven years …
The Associated Press: Florida’s Commission on Open Government to discuss recommendations for the governor …

October 11, 2008

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Hernando Today, by Tony Holt: Residents complain of Sunshine Law violation for being left out of Spring Hill Fire Department union negotiations …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Sunshine Law dominates at debate for Venice City Council elections …
Hernando Today, by Tony Holt: Bulletin boards sufficient to announce meeting, Spring Hill fire district attorney says …

October 6, 2008

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Beaches Leader, by Kathy Hartman: Sunshine Law is “garbage,” outgoing St. Johns County Commissioner says …
Naples Daily News, by Liam Dillon: Public-private roles raise questions on Ave Maria boards …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Sarasota activist Anthony Lorenzo faults Venice meeting at city manager’s house …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Top administrators meeting at interim Venice city manager’s house raises public meetings flag …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kathy Silverberg: Sunshine is simply doing public’s business in public …
Pensacola News-Journal, by Jamie Page: Public gets first chance to speak before Community Maritime Park Associates at meeting …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Judge says Venice officials must pay e-mail experts to retrieve e-mails from their personal computers in ongoing open government lawsuit …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Kim Hackett: Judge sets trail date for open government lawsuit involving nine current and former Venice city officials …
Naples Daily News, by Jenna Buzzacco: Union, bus driver sue Collier School Board members, saying they violated Sunshine Law …
WTBO Channel 8, by Steve Andrews:Lowry Park Zoo turns over records after threat of lawsuit …