Open Government: Protecting the Public Trust

By Charlie Crist

Governor of Florida

Sunshine Sunday offers every Floridian the opportunity to reflect on our state’s strong tradition of open government. Our public access laws are generally considered among the strongest in the nation. Florida’s so-called Sunshine Law ensures that government’s actions are always transparent and accountable to taxpayers.

Every day, residents from Pensacola to Key West are able to gain the knowledge they need to become true participants in the democratic process. They review public records, attend commission meetings and use the knowledge they obtain to improve their communities.

Some say that our public access laws make government less efficient. However, our open government laws give the people the knowledge they need to voice their support for government programs that are working effectively – and to voice their dissatisfaction of those that are not. These laws provide all of us the opportunity to learn from the past and prepare for the future.

It is hard to imagine what our state would be like if we did not have government in the sunshine to hold government accountable for its actions. Fifteen years ago, Florida voters enshrined open government in the state constitution by overwhelmingly passing the Open Government Constitutional Amendment. As governor, I have established the Office of Open Government within my administration to ensure the timely response to all requests for public records. Floridians are owed nothing less.

As Abraham Lincoln recognized, the people’s will is the guiding force in a democracy. Florida’s open government laws help ensure President Lincoln’s vision of a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Florida’s Sunshine Law will remain a cherished part of our heritage for generations to come.

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