September 13, 2016 – Florida Politics
by Joe Henderson
According to the Associated Press, the governor’s office just got a $153,000 makeover. Well, technically it was to the reception area outside the place where Gov. Rick Scott conducts the weighty affairs of state.
There was new carpet to replace the 13-year-old stuff that covered the floor. That’s good. We want visitors to think we run a classy joint here in Florida.
There was what AP called “bulletproof material” in the reception desk. No problem there. I don’t make jokes when it comes to protecting the chief political officer in the state and his staff. People who know about security said that was important. So be it.
But …
Wait for it …
The “upgrades” included putting the Florida Office of Open Government under lock and key and restricting admission to just the working staff. That’s the place where worker bees respond to those pesky open-records requests that can cost a lot and take forever to complete, although the state says those things are expected to be filled “in an expeditious manner.”
Creating the office also was one of the first official acts by Scott after he was inaugurated in 2011.
Anyway, here’s how the state’s web page describes the mission statement of that office:
“The Office of Open Government is charged with providing both the Executive Office of the Governor and each of Florida’s agencies with the guidance and tools to serve Florida with integrity and transparency.”
Transparency.
That always has been the issue since Scott was first elected. That’s why the lock-and-key and admission restrictions on the “Open Government” room is dripping with symbolism.
…Florida once had one of the toughest sunshine laws in the country, and people were proud of that. Scott, along with many other officials, talks a good game about the public’s right to know, but I don’t think he really believes it.
Putting the Office of Open Government behind a locked door may not actually mean the flow of official information will get worse — I mean, how could it? But if you’re looking for a symbolic gesture about what Tallahassee thinks you should be allowed to know however, you have it right there. [READ MORE]