Sunshine

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

Government Transparency Undermined: Officials Ignore Sunshine Laws, Blocking Public Access to Information

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Miami, Florida – Sunshine Week, an annual celebration of transparency laws, is shedding light on the continued efforts of government officials to undermine those very laws. This nationwide event serves as a reminder that while transparency may be championed for one week, the remaining 51 weeks often tell a different story. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has come under scrutiny as two officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement claimed that his office blocked the release of publicly-funded travel records. These officers allege that they faced retaliation for asserting that these records should be … Read more

Unveiling Government Secrets: The 50-Year Legacy of Tennessee’s ‘Sunshine Law’

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Murfreesboro, Tennessee – In a time when transparency in government often faces opposition, it’s worth reflecting on the significance of the “Sunshine Law” enacted 50 years ago. State Representative John Bragg, a Democrat from Murfreesboro, championed this legislation in 1974. Although initially met with criticism and resistance, the law forever changed the way governmental meetings operate in the state. At its core, the Sunshine Law aimed to expose governmental processes to public scrutiny. Prior to its enactment, officials could conduct business in secrecy, away from prying eyes and critical voices. The proposed law received harsh … Read more