Florida Governor Establishes Office Of Open Government

Dec. 12, 2006
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Gov.-elect Charlie Crist announced Tuesday that he is creating the Office of Open Government to ensure compliance with public records and open government laws and to train all government agencies on those laws.

The office will give the governor's office and state agencies guidance in how to quickly and completely fill public records requests as well as training on government transparency and accountability, according to a statement released by Crist's transition office.

"Respecting the public trust that is bestowed upon all of us who serve the people of Florida is a top priority for me and for my administration," Crist said in the release.

Crist, who now serves as attorney general, also named two of his current staff members to the office.

Pat Gleason, who serves as general counsel and administers the attorney general's open government mediation program, will be the director of cabinet affairs and special counsel for open government. JoAnn Carrin, who serves as communications director, will be the director of open government.

"It really does cement Florida's national reputation as a leader in open government," said Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation. "This is even more than I could have hoped for and I really look forward to working with him on these issues."

In 2005, Crist was given the foundation's Pete Weitzel/Friend of the First Amendment award for efforts to preserve the public's access to government records.

"Charlie gets it. Some people embrace open government because of political expediency but Charlie truly believes in open government," Petersen said.

She contrasted that with Gov. Jeb Bush's current administration, which she said is often slow in fulfilling open records requests and treats them with suspicion.

The news also was welcomed by Florida Society of Newspaper Editors President John Bartosek.

"Gov. Crist is putting a refreshing and welcome high priority on compliance with the state's strong Sunshine laws. Pat Gleason, a longtime champion of open access to records and government for all residents, gives the new office credibility," said Bartosek, who is editor of The Palm Beach Post.

Crist takes office Jan. 2.