Supported by a donation from Kenneth L. Weiss, Esq., the Hanna and Douglas Weiss Open Government Legal Fellowship is a one-semester fellowship for a law student interested in learning about Florida's open government laws and the legislative process.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Daniel Bevarly
(239) 823-1811 · dbevarly@nfoic.org
Knight FOI fund helps bring settlement in Florida Governor Lawsuit
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From The Palm Beach Post: WEST PALM BEACH — While lauding her educational accomplishments and her community service, a judge Monday rejected South Bay Commissioner Shirley Walker-Turner’s plea to set aside her conviction and fined her $250 for violating the state’s Sunshine Law.
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From TCPALM: Port St. Lucie Councilman Ron Bowen has been charged with violating the state’s open records laws and civil infractions have been levied against Mayor JoAnn Faiella and Councilwoman Shannon Martin in connection with the dismissal of former City Manager Greg Oravec, State Attorney Bruce Colton said Monday.
Visit TCPALM for more.
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From Huffington Post: Tallahassee, Fla., attorney Steven Andrews filed a new lawsuit against Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday, alleging that the Republican governor’s administration failed to release public records, according to The Associated Press.
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From The Florida Times-Union: The Times-Union sued the state in February for the data’s release. Tuesday’s decision reverses a lower circuit court ruling in March, which concluded the data were exempt from public inspection.
According to state law a teacher’s evaluation is not subject to disclosure under the public records law until a year following the school year in which the evaluation was given, but “it does not follow that any information or data used to prepare the evaluation is likewise exempt from disclosure,” the appeal court ruled.
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From Palm Beach Post: WEST PALM BEACH — South Bay City Commissioner Shirley Walker-Turner will be sentenced Dec. 9 after being convicted last week for violating the state’s Sunshine law, a Palm Beach County court judge decided Tuesday.
Gov. Rick Scott has not yet decided whether he will remove the longtime commissioner from office — again — a spokesman said. Scott will wait until the legal proceedings are complete, said spokesman John Tupps.
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From NFOIC: A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.
Brevard corruption case morphs into public records battle
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From Herald-Tribune: VENICE – Members of the Venice City Council say they need to be more cautious than ever about what they say, to whom they say it, and where and when they say it.
If they do not, the city may be accused of violating Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law and find itself in court — again. Past violations cost the city more than $1.5 million.
Visit Herald-Tribune for more.
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From Herald-Tribune: SARASOTA – Notes from a private meeting earlier this month between city officials and a downtown business group appear to support allegations that two city commissioners violated the Sunshine Law.
The notes detail a wide-ranging discussion of the city’s homelessness issues, and appear to undercut claims that city business was not discussed.
Visit Herald-Tribune for more.
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