The Florida Sunshine Review spotlights the latest news on Florida open government laws and freedom of information (FOI) issues, with special emphasis on open records and open meetings developments. For similar Florida items plus mass media news, see the monthly Brechner Report from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida.

November 29, 2005

Fort Myers News-Press editorial: FEMA’s refusal to provide information is a matter of open government and accountability that should interest all Americans …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Jeff Cull: News-Press will appeal a decision by the federal government to conceal customer surveys of hurricane victims after last year's devastating storm season …
Lakeland Ledger, by Dana Willhoit: Polk County obsenity case raises First Amendment issues about Internet pornography …

November 28, 2005

---

Fort Myers News-Press, by Melanie Payne: Federal Emergency Management Agency refuses newspaper’s request for storm questionnaire results …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial: Why limited access to gruesome evidence in the Carlie Brucia murder case is important …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Cindy F. Crawford: Cities work to open path to public information, such as e-mails …
Palm Beach Post editorial: Using police cameras to patrol public streets raises privacy issues that must be debated in public …

November 24, 2005

---

Fernandina Beach News-Leader, by Glenda S. Jenkins: City Clerk Cassandra Mitchell draws heavy criticism for inadvertently disclosing employee Social Security numbers in response to a public records request …
Fernandina Beach News-Leader, by Glenda S. Jenkins and Michael Parnell: City Clerk Cassandra Mitchell suspended with pay pending a State Attorney's Office investigation into her release of employee Social Security numbers …
Naples Daily News, by Jessie L. Bonner: A dispute threatens the future of Florida Gulf Coast University’s student newspaper (* free registration required) …
Sarsota Herald-Tribune, by Tom Arthur: Media can see sealed evidence in the Carlie Brucia murder case, judge says …
Associated Press: Attorney General Charlie Crist asks the Florida Supreme Court to reconsider a lower court ruling that allows the media to review sealed crime-scene photos and video in Carlie Brucia's slaying …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Doug Sword: Accusations of collusion and violations of the state's Sunshine Law taint the image of a key panel responsible for planning Sarasota County's growth …

November 21, 2005

---

Palm Beach Post, by S.V. Date: State lawmaker asks Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist to investigate claims by Gov. Jeb Bush's press office that a proposal to restructure a voucher program did not exist, even though a top Bush aide had a copy …
Palm Beach Post, by S.V. Date: Attorney General’s Office turns down lawmaker’s request to investigate the governor’s press office, saying the attorney general doesn’t have the legal authority to “to investigate or prosecute alleged violations of the public records law” …
St. Petersburg Times, by Candace Rondeaux: Hillsborough County judge slaps gag order on attorneys in the LeFave teacher-student sex case, despite protests of media …

November 18, 2005

---

Associated Press, by Mike Schneider: Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist seeks to block access to crime scene and autopsy photos and videotapes involving 11-year-old murder victim Carlie Brucia …
St. Petersburg Times, by Candace Rondeaux: Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office seeks a gag order against the defender of Debra Lafave, a Hillsborough County teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student …

November 17, 2005

---

Lakeland Ledger editorial: Florida’s public records law seems to apply to everyone in Florida except Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton …
Independent Florida Alligator: Why aren't UF administrators bending backward to give public records to students? …

November 16, 2005

---

Florida Times-Union, by David DeCamp: Mayor John Peyton’s public records were deemed private for more than a year by the Duval County clerk of court and Duval County property appraiser …
Florida Times-Union editorial: Lack of access to mayor's public records is a bigger deal than it might first appear …
Palm Beach Post, by S.V. Date: Gov. Jeb Bush’s office had voucher proposal despite two weeks of denial that it did …
Florida Times-Union, by David Bauerlein: State to unveil cell phone traffic service …
News4Jax.com: Modern technology helps protect children from sexual predators …

November 15, 2005

---

Independent Florida Alligator, by Justin Richards: University of Florida professor refiles lawsuit regarding public records complaint against UF President Bernie Machen …
Palm Beach Post editorial: Let the public have information about doctors as voters intended in approving a constitutional amendment …
Florida Times-Union editorial: It shouldn’t take a lawsuit to force a public agency to release public information …

November 10, 2005

---

South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Robyn Shelton: New Web site lets consumers check and compare performance records of Florida hospitals …
St. Petersburg Times, by Phil Davis: Language at Port Richey meeting makes it unsuitable for TV …

November 5, 2005

---

Fort Myers News-Press, by Jeff Cull: Judge refuses request by newspapers to release names and addresses of FEMA aid recipients …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Melanie Payne: Press freedom takes a hit with FEMA ruling, some say …
Fort Myers News-Press: FEMA still fighting a lawsuit regarding its aid records by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel …
Associated Press: Florida Supreme Court rejects “privacy” as a reason to bar cameras in the courtroom …
Associated Press: Florida Supreme Court says Social Security number need not be supplied when seeking compensation for on-the-job injuries …
*Florida Times-Union, by Brad Schmidt: Clay County high school principal withheld published copies of the student newspaper to eliminate article about homosexuality (*free registration required) …