ETHICS COMMISSION RENEWS PUSH FOR PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION
Florida judges aren’t the only public servants calling for greater security following an increase in threats and harassment.
The Florida Commission on Ethics voted last week to renew a request for the Legislature to authorize a public records exemption to shield the personal data of commissioners and staff.
“The types of decisions that you all make have a significant impact on complainants and citizens and officials alike,” noted Executive Director Kerrie Stillman at an August 28 meeting.
A staff analysis notes that commission proceedings are adversarial and the stakes can be high, with public officials facing potential removal from office or fines of up to $20,000.
“Commission staff sometimes receive hostile communications from members of the public, as well as ethics Complainants who are upset about the outcome of complaints they have filed.”
The Commission recently increased the physical security of its offices in response to rising threats, noted Chair Jon Philipson, a Tampa attorney with Gunster, Yoakley, & Stewart.
“We’ve hardened the building, we’ve hardened protections, but I think this added layer is an important one,” he said. “We are a state that favors the sunshine, but we also are in favor of protecting our staff.”
Bills authorizing a public records exemption were filed in the House and Senate last session but failed to be considered by a single committee. This year, the Commission would be willing to restrict the public records exemption to staff members if bill sponsors believe that will improve the chances of success.
The Commission also intends to renew a request to extend Florida’s “Whistle-Blower Protection Act,” to people who file ethics complaints. House and Senate proposals to do so cleared all committee stops last session, but stalled on the House and Senate calendars, according to a staff analysis.
Giving complainants greater protections will encourage more people to come forward and strengthen the Commission’s mission, according to a staff analysis.
“The Commission believes that the threat of adverse employment or personnel actions in retaliation for a person’s filing of an ethics complaint discourages the filing of valid complaints.”
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
