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Guest Column
We must fight to protect public’s right to watch their elected officials | Column
An informed citizenry needs public notices in local newspapers of record by government entities to notify them of meetings and votes.
 
An independent poll by Mason Dixon shows that Florida citizens overwhelmingly want wider access to the public notice information, as 78 percent of respondents want local governments to carry public notices in newspapers, and 61 percent said they would not seek out information on government websites.
An independent poll by Mason Dixon shows that Florida citizens overwhelmingly want wider access to the public notice information, as 78 percent of respondents want local governments to carry public notices in newspapers, and 61 percent said they would not seek out information on government websites. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]
Published March 23, 2021|Updated March 23, 2021

For democracy to function, citizens must have the right to know what their elected officials are doing and saying. The right to full and public notice of when elected officials are discussing or making decisions must be ensured.

Dominic M. Calabro [ FLORIDA TAXWATCH | Times staff ]

As a nonpartisan government watchdog and taxpayer-research institute that focuses on promoting government accountability and transparency, Florida TaxWatch supports the use of public notices in local newspapers of record by government entities to notify all of their citizens of meetings and votes. Unfortunately, current proposed legislation would allow local government websites to be the only required source for public notice posting.

George LeMieux

Overall, the changes put forth in the proposed legislation mean that local newspapers would in most cases no longer be required to house and circulate public notices, thus causing Floridians to be less informed about current government issues.

Since newspapers and their websites possess a larger audience due to a wealth of information across a breadth of issues, the fact that these media outlets would no longer be required to house public notices results in less written information provided to the people. An independent poll by Mason Dixon shows that Florida citizens overwhelmingly want wider access to the public notice information, as 78 percent of respondents want local governments to carry public notices in newspapers, and 61 percent said they would not seek out information on government websites.

In addition, the proposed legislation shifts delivering public-notice information from an active to a passive stance. Newspapers reach out to their audience through intentional delivery, also offering accessibility to those without the means to an internet connection.

A notice strictly available on government-run websites would eliminate the critical neutrality and independence of a newspaper or other third party. It would be much more likely for government entities to miss notification deadlines, leave out critical information or make changes electronically to items on their websites without public knowledge. When something runs in the newspaper, it is permanently printed and distributed for all to reference and reexamine anytime.

Here at Florida TaxWatch, we regard transparency as being of paramount importance when it comes to the state and local governments’ interactions with their taxpaying citizens.

In order that residents trust and hold their government accountable, taxpayers should be entitled to an unabridged and open flow of information concerning public notices in their communities. They should not be beholden to government websites to provide residents with critically important and timely information.

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To this end, Florida TaxWatch has promoted policies that expand the use and access to public notice information through newspapers, their websites, and even email to residents who requested updated notices.

With the newspapers providing third-party verification, Florida taxpayers are ensured greater access to public-notice information, allowing them to stay in the know about their communities and just how their hard-earned dollars are being utilized.

Dominic M. Calabro has been president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch for nearly four decades. Former Sen. George LeMieux is chairman of Florida TaxWatch and chairman of the Gunster Firm.