On Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, err on the side of caution

Floridians are blessed with the most expansive open government laws in the nation. While the state's Sunshine Law ensures the public's right of access to most governmental meetings and records, those official entities can encounter difficulties on several fronts.

Slow responses to public records requests elicit sharp criticism for stonewalling. No response to those entreaties can spark lawsuits that can prove costly to government programs and taxpayers.

On another Sunshine issue, meetings deemed to be public must be noticed and open. Official entities cannot misunderstand the rules on open governance, another pitfall that can void proceedings and decisions. Continue>>>