Wow!! Here is a public official who GETS IT!! Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum says it's not enough to simply respond to open records request. Making public records easily available on public websites is the new standard of service for government.Link
"Open government has always been a top priority in the Sunshine State, but we can do better. This week I called on local governments, sheriffs and school districts to make government transparency their New Year's Resolution.
"As we head into 2009, I'm asking our leaders to recognize that with advances in technology, government in the sunshine can be as easy as uploading information to public websites. Merely responding to requests is no longer sufficient in light of the technological advances which make it infinitely easier, cheaper and more efficient to do so.
"I am hopeful that government and school officials will respond to my request to immediately place on their websites the email address and phone number for their public records points of contact, and have their contracts and current budgets posted online in time for Sunshine Week, which starts on March 15. To assist sheriffs, county commissions and school boards in providing proper training on Florida's Sunshine Law, my office is working on an enhanced website and online training resources that will be easily accessible and free of charge in the next few months.
"Open government is not only good government; it is the right of the tax-paying public."
