"Government's business is public service, and as public servants, we work for the people of Florida," said Crist. "Florida's Sunshine Law creates a window for Floridians to look through to observe the democratic process and participate in it."
In one of his first official acts after his inauguration, Crist issued Executive Order 07-01 on January 3, 2007, and created the Office of Open Government and the Plain Language Initiative. Both are designed to help Floridians access information about state government and ensure that government's actions are always transparent and accountable to taxpayers.
The Office of Open Government is charged with assuring full and expeditious compliance with the open government and public records laws of Florida and providing training to all government agencies on transparency and accountability. As a first step, the office has arranged for 500 state employees to receive training from the Florida Institute of Government about Florida's open government laws.
In February, Crist announced the launch of Web sites for both the Office of Open Government and the Plain Language Initiative. The Open Government Web site lists state agency contacts selected by agency heads to ensure compliance with public record laws. Also, consumers can e-mail the Office of Open Government directly from the Web site.
The Open Government Web site also contains training resources for state agencies, including a link to the Florida Institute of Government Web site, which offers training in Florida's Code of Ethics, Sunshine Law and Public Records Act and a link to the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual. Visitors to the site can also access the Attorney General's Open Government Mediation Program and the First Amendment Foundation.
The Plain Language Web site contains examples of correspondence before and after plain-language editing and information about how citizens can request a translation of a state government document either online or by fax. Individuals submitting requests should receive a response within seven days.
As part of the Plain Language Initiative, Governor Crist has directed executive state agencies to conduct thorough reviews of their communication and customer service strategies, and then establish new standards and guidelines. The Executive Order calls for agency reviews to be completed and procedures to be in place by April 2, 2007.
"Governor Crist firmly believes that open government is the best way we can respect the public trust that is bestowed upon all of us who serve the people," said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. "Florida's open government laws are among the strongest in the nation, and these Web sites help make government even more accessible to the people."
PROCLAMATION
A Week of Sunshine
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution safeguards every Floridian's right of access to government meetings and records; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution further confirms that all political power flows from the People to their government; and
WHEREAS, the best way to ensure that government truly represents the people it serves is to keep the government open and accessible to all people; and
WHEREAS, Florida is nationally renowned for putting a high priority on the public's right of access to governmental meetings and records; and
WHEREAS, on January 3, 2007, by Executive Order 07-01, the Office of Open Government was created to function within the Executive Office of the Governor to advance the cause of government in the Sunshine State; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Sunday in 2002, in response to increased public and legislative awareness; and
WHEREAS, Sunshine Sunday was adopted by other states and resulted in the designation of Sunshine Week by the American Society of Newspaper Editors; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing March 11 -- 17, 2007, as Sunshine Week.
