Treasure Coast News-Press-Tribune
(Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach)

Sunshine must keep shining on government

Public access to the workings of government in Florida must take precedent so that trust and understanding can be maintained.

For more than a decade, Florida has been a model for open government thanks to voter approval of the Sunshine Amendment to the Florida Constitution. Under the Public Records Law and the Open Meeting Law, all records and meetings are considered open for public inspection and participation unless specifically exempted by an act of the state Legislature based on "public necessity."

But, some legislators and special interests don't want the public to know what they are doing and so each year scores of bills are introduced to grant exceptions to open government requirements. Fortunately, the great majority of those bills are eventually defeated. Now, however, those who want to limit public access to the information people on the Treasure Coast and throughout Florida may need in order to be fully aware of the workings of government have a new tool at their disposal. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, they have attempted to cloak their proposals in the mantle of security concerns. That mantle, however, could become a shroud for open government.

During the present session of the state Legislature, 73 bills have been introduced that would grant exemptions to open government requirements.

Fortunately, supporters of "government is the sunshine" also have a new tool. Voters last year approved a constitutional amendment requiring that each house of the Legislature must approve open government exemptions by a two-thirds vote.

In a disturbing development earlier this month, a Senate committee held an unprecedented meeting at Florida Department of Law Enforcement headquarters during which the public and reporters were barred. FDLE claimed the meeting had to be secret because anti-terrorism methods would be discussed.

But, shouldn't the public have the right to know - at least in general - the same information likely provided to members of that Senate Committee on Home Defense, Public Security and Ports?

Therein lies the problem. When information is withheld or meetings are closed, the public is denied even knowing whether or not the information is something it needs. It is a slippery slope.

Today, the Tribune joins newspapers throughout Florida in "Sunshine Sunday," an opportunity to remind readers of the value of open government and the need to be continuously vigilant in protecting their rights to access government and to remind legislators that an open government best serves the people that government represents.

Rights lost are rarely restored. An informed citizenry is vital to the operation of democracy. Let's keep the sun shining on Florida's government.