Sunshine

Trumbull Commissioners Reach Settlement in Controversial Sunshine Law Case

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TRUMBULL, Ohio — Trumbull County Commissioners have reached a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed violations of Ohio’s Sunshine Law, which mandates public access to governmental meetings and records. The resolution follows months of disputes regarding transparency and the public’s right to be informed about local governance. The lawsuit was brought forth by a local resident who alleged that the commissioners conducted private meetings without proper notice, denying the community their right to participate in discussions affecting public policy. The Ohio Sunshine Law serves to ensure that meetings of public bodies are open to the … Read more

Florida’s Struggle for Transparency: The Fight to Restore and Strengthen Sunshine Laws Amid Growing Secrecy

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Tallahassee, FL — Once a pioneer in open government, Florida now sees its tradition of transparency under increasing threat. The sunshine state, recognized for its robust Sunshine laws enacted in 1967, which promised open meetings and public access to records, now faces a tide of legal exemptions that could cloud the operations of government from public scrutiny. In a time when public access should be expanding thanks to digital advancements, Florida’s government appears to be backtracking. New proposed exemptions are moving through the state Legislature with alarming speed, raising concerns about the future of government … Read more

Florida’s Week Reviewed: From Rescued Manatees to a Reopened Fort De Soto — Catch Up on the Sunshine State’s Top Stories

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Tampa, FL — Florida’s headlines this past week captured a broad spectrum of occurrences, from significant weather impacts and unusual criminal activities to local wildlife gatherings due to weather extremes. Among these stories, notable events included the reopening of Fort De Soto Park’s amenities post-hurricane damage, various severe criminal allegations, and the community-oriented rescue efforts in Tampa. After suffering damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Fort De Soto Park’s officials announced the reopening of its facilities including the fort, dog beach, and fishing piers. This reopening marks a significant step towards normalization for the area’s … Read more

Bellefonte Borough Council Prevails as Sunshine Act Lawsuit Dismissed Over Technicality

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Bellefonte, PA — A lawsuit alleging violations of the Sunshine Act by the Bellefonte Borough Council was recently dismissed due to a procedural error in the filing process, leaving advocates for government transparency disheartened. The legal action, initiated by a local transparency advocate, claimed that the council had conducted discussions about a developmental project behind closed doors, which should have been accessible to the public under Pennsylvania’s open meetings law. Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act mandates that all discussions of agencies relating to business which would otherwise be accessible by the public must be held openly, with … Read more