November 17, 2017
The Honorable Teresa Jacobs, Mayor
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
201 S. Rosalind Avenue, 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
Dear Mayor Jacobs:
We are writing to express our thanks and appreciation for the steps you’ve taken to require the public posting of all contracts with Visit Orlando as reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
The First Amendment Foundation believes that all expenditures of tax dollars should be public, and that all decisions concerning how and why that money is spent should also be open to public oversight and accountability.
We applaud your efforts in support of increased transparency and accountability for Visit Orlando, Mayor Jacobs, and on behalf of your constituents and all Floridians we want to say thank you.
If we can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to call on us.
Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Petersen, President
cc: Avido Khahaifa, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Orlando Sentinel
John Cutter, Managing Editor, Orlando Sentinel
Board of Directors, First Amendment Foundation
Board of Directors, Florida Society of News Editors