Posted on 05/02/2023 10:56:39 AM PDT by conservative98
Lawmakers are considering sealing the governor’s travel records. Republicans say it’s about the governor’s safety and security while Democrats say it’s about the safety of the governor’s political ambitions.
Lawmakers readied the bill Monday for a final vote on Tuesday. The bill would make all travel logs of the governor, the state’s cabinet members, legislative leaders, and the Chief Justice exempt from public record requests.
Also, the bill is retroactive, meaning if signed into law any records regarding protection, travel, and potential threats in the past, present and future would be sealed.
“That’s what the bill is about, safety and security,” State Rep. Jeff Holcolmb said.
Sweeping election reform bill awaits DeSantis’ signature State Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby says there’s a presidential—not practical—reason for the legislation.
“Once again we are seeing the legislature being a political arm of the governor and his campaign,” Rayner-Goolsby said.
The sponsor of the House bill says Democrats are getting worked up over nothing.
“I don’t know why they’re concerned, I think they’re trying to play politics,” State Rep. Jeff Holcolmb said.
Lawmakers rein in DeSantis’ immigration proposal The governor weighed in Monday at a press conference in Titusville.
“It’s not necessarily something I came up with,” DeSantis said. “Some people can agree with it, some cannot but I think it’s motivated by security concerns.”
The bill is set for a vote in the House Tuesday and is expected to pass. Then it’s off to the governor who is expected to sign it into law.
(Excerpt) Read more at wfla.com ...
Nothing to see here, move along
He seems to accept this without protest
Trashing Florida’s transparency laws is a garbage move.
I’d rather keep the transparency and let the pols live in fear if that’s what actually motivates this change. I think they fear people learning who they meet and who funds it more than anything else.
Yeah. Security concerns.
> “It’s not necessarily something I came up with,” DeSantis said. “Some people can agree with it, some cannot but I think it’s motivated by security concerns.” <
Bad, bad, bad. It makes sense to withhold travel information ahead of time. But once the trip is completed, let the sun shine in.
And what a trashy remark by DeSantis. Leftists are always talking about “security concerns” when trying to take our rights away. It’s not something I expect from Republicans.
I was impressed with DeSantis previously. But he might lose me on this alone.
Desani is literally turning into a moron
Unless its the likes of Graham, McConnell, et al.
“He seems to accept this without protest”
Of course. It’s great ink getting his name in the paper as the put upon candidate and makes him a hero for his running despite the danger.
H Clinton’s snipers.
wy69
The problem with politicans is they’re too smart by half and that serves their dark side. Anytime I see opacity and therefore darkness, I’m suspect about any gain for the public good.
Is there now any doubt we’ve lost more freedom from this attitude than any damage done by light and transparency? You decide.
There is one absolute I refuse to give up: Let there be light. Every good thing flows from it and every bad thing from darkness.
Or whom desantis has been courting for donations....
You know... deep swampers, GOPe,......and billionaire democrats who want their way and are willing to pay for it.
As soon as someone says ‘You don’t need to know” (or words to that effect, you damned well do need to know.
But then I think *ALL* individuals payed with taxpayer dollars should have to do ALL business travel on the cheapest public transit.
Seeing the deepstate side of DeSantis come out has been revealing. The conservative side was maybe just a trick.
It sounds like everything is to be viewed, through the lens of presidential politics.
What are they trying to hide?
this is going to bite Republicans in the @$$.
Short-sighted.
This ☝
You could try reading the Bill. Also keep in mind those trashing this are mostly Leftist and their media lackeys. The new part of the legislation reads as follows,
(10)(a) Records held by a law enforcement agency relating
45 to security or transportation services provided under subsection
46 (1), subsection (5), or subsection (6) are exempt from s.
47 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This
48 exemption applies to records held by a law enforcement agency
49 before, on, or after the effective date of this act.
50 (b) This subsection is subject to the Open Government
51 Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand
52 repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from
53 repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
54 Section 2. The Legislature finds that it is a public
55 necessity that records held by a law enforcement agency relating
56 to security or transportation services provided under s. 57 943.68(1), (5), or (6), Florida Statutes, be made exempt from s.
58 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the
59 State Constitution. Information obtained by a law enforcement
60 agency authorized by law to provide security or transportation
61 services to persons, including the Governor, the Governor’s
62 immediate family, visiting governors and their families, the
63 Lieutenant Governor, a member of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the
64 House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, or the
65 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or for persons for whom such
66 services are requested by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor,
67 a member of the Cabinet, the Speaker of the House of
68 Representatives, the President of the Senate, or the Chief
69 Justice of the Supreme Court, the disclosure of which could
70 endanger the protected person, should not be disclosed to the
71 public. The disclosure of such records, including security,
72 operational, and logistical plans; mansion security, facility
73 operations, access, screenings, and clearances; personal
74 information unrelated to official duties of the protected
75 individuals; risk, vulnerability, and threat assessments; travel
76 information relating to the protected person and law enforcement
77 agents and personnel providing the security or transportation
78 services; and identifying information of sworn and non-sworn
79 personnel engaged in a security or transportation services
80 operation or detail could reveal the means and methods of
81 providing the required security or transportation services and
82 could impair the ability of the law enforcement agency to ensure
83 the safety and security of the protected person. The disclosure
84 of such records could also endanger the law enforcement agents
85 and personnel providing the security or transportation services.
86 The Legislature finds that the safety and security of persons
87 authorized protection under s. 943.68(1), (5), or (6), Florida
88 Statutes, as well as the safety and security of law enforcement
89 agents and personnel providing the security or transportation
90 services, outweigh any public benefit that may be derived from
91 the disclosure of such records. Therefore, it is a public
92 necessity that records held by a law enforcement agency relating
93 to security or transportation services provided under s. 94 943.68(1), (5), or (6), Florida Statutes, be made exempt from
95 public records requirements.”
Notice it is specific to such records held by law enforcement agencies. There is nothing in the amended text which changes any Sunshine law on public meetings or campaign transparency.
Try reading the amendment. Which is actually an amendment to existing statute on transportation and protection services. The underlined part is the new text.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1616/BillText/c1/HTML
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