Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here
with news “From the Loft to the Streets". This latest news letter is a direct reflection of why I feel it is so important to know and understand of one’s constitutional rights In this issue of General McCollum newsletter, he addresses the our right to know what is in happening in our government and how it is best working to serve and to protect the of people.
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Attorney General Bill McCollum’s “News Briefs”
Date: March 16, 2007
Volume 5, Issue 11:
Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum
This week Florida recognized Sunshine Week, a time dedicated to raising
awareness about open government and full access to public records.
Historically, our state is a national leader in providing public access
to government meetings and records. I am proud of our state’s
reputation, but I believe we can do more.
Having uncomplicated and expedient access to public records is your
constitutional right. Florida’s Constitution provides that you have the
right to know how government officials, on all levels, spend taxpayer
dollars and make the decisions affecting your lives. And, in light of
the many technological advances available to us today, I believe there
is more that the Attorney General’s Office can do to make it infinitely
more efficient for the citizens of our state to access this information.
On Tuesday my office launched the Government Accountability Project, in
partnership with the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, to
encourage state and local government entities to be more proactive in
providing Florida’s citizens the information and records they need in
order to hold their government accountable. Here, the Attorney General’s
Office will strive to bridge the gap between records already available
and the information citizens want but may have difficulty obtaining. It
is my hope that this office will serve as an example for other government
entities across the nation.
Our project will unfold in two phases. Again, we will first work to
determine what discrepancies exist between the information already
available and that which is difficult to obtain. Then, once we have
identified any such discrepancies, we will collaborate with state and
local government entities to eliminate these and help ensure Florida’s
citizens have ready access to the information they need to hold their
leaders accountable. The new Government Accountability Project will be
coordinated by Associate Deputy Attorney General Simone Marstiller who
brings extensive experience in public service to the project. The project
is now showcased on a new website designed to give Floridians expedient
access to public records and is available through the Attorney General's
website. To access the website, please visit:
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/20AB6480E324FC5885257297006997E7.
As a first step towards government transparency, I have put the outside
legal counsel contracts with my office on the website for the public
to review.
Taking an active role in state and local government is not only a right,
but an important responsibility. I urge all Floridians to take advantage
of the laws that grant access to government records and documents. As an
elected official, I appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my strong
commitment to an open, efficient and responsible government and am
dedicated to keeping Florida on the national forefront of this important
issue.
Thank you.
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Evelyn out.
