Travel records involving Gov. Ron DeSantis and his family would be shielded from public disclosure under a proposal moving forward in the Senate and the House.
The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday approved a bill (SB 1616) that would create a public-records exemption for records held by law-enforcement agencies related to “transportation and protective services” provided to the governor, the governor’s immediate family, visiting governors and “other persons as requested by certain state officers.”
Senate bill sponsor Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, said disclosure of information about the governor’s travel could expose security operations and logics undertaken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is charged with the governor’s safety.
“My understanding is there has been an increase in public-records requests regarding our governor and his travel simply because of the notoriety of his position in the past few years,” Martin said. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday approved the House version of the bill (HB 1495).
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issues an annual report outlining costs of protecting the governor, his family, the governor’s mansion and visiting dignitaries. The 2022 report showed taxpayers spent $6.097 million on such security in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, up 25 percent from the previous year. While most of the expenses involved protecting DeSantis, the report noted protective services also were provided to the governors of 27 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
–News Service of Florida
Lee says
Wow, talk about no transparency here
for the People of Florida that vote for him!!
So he, his family members & other governors can travel anywhere without transparencies?? Really, what’s he doing for all the people in Florida?
Could be 30-million and tax payers pay??
Read this again *******
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issues an annual report outlining costs of protecting the governor, his family, the governor’s mansion and visiting dignitaries. The 2022 report showed taxpayers spent $6.097 million on such security in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, up 25 percent from the previous year. While most of the expenses involved protecting DeSantis, the report noted protective services also were provided to the governors of 27 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pogo says
@FlaglerLive
Thank you for adding this news “Brief” to your site. Unfortunately, it is limited and significantly lacking, i.e.:
“…WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS — “Where is DeSantis traveling on state business? Legislature wants to make it a secret,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas: “Citing an increase in public records requests for the governor’s travel schedule, Florida legislators are advancing a bill that would shield from the public any information about how and where Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials go. The bill would impose the first-ever public records exemption for the transportation records held by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the agency that handles the governor’s security. The exemption would take effect retroactively, prohibiting anyone from scrutinizing how DeSantis has used his state travel in the past and as he prepares for a likely campaign for the Republican nomination for president.”…”
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/floridaplaybook
From the aforementioned, I would focus specifically on this: “…The exemption would take effect retroactively, prohibiting anyone from scrutinizing how DeSantis has used his state travel in the past…”
I believe this matter, and a host of other very concerning revelations, deserve as broad exposure as possible.
Thank you.
Pogo says
@Lee
Well said, but I believe reporting on this is following a money trail to nowhere, while the much greater concern is largely unremarked.
This law is nothing less than concealment and/or destruction of public records, a.k.a., evidence. The retroactive aspect literally makes it an active act of obstruction.
I would welcome any believable explanation to the contrary.
Laurel says
How does it help Floridian tax payers that DeSantis travels around the country promoting his book? What about campaigning even though he states he is not? Why should his travel information, along with his family and friends, not be recorded? This is more authoritarian legislating, not in the best interest of Floridians. This is a blatant attempt by the Republican Party to get rid of the Sunshine Law.
Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law, commonly called the Sunshine Law, passed in 1967. It requires that all meetings of any state, county, or municipal board or commission in Florida be open to the public, and declares that actions taken at closed meetings are not binding (Section 286.011, Florida Statutes). “Meeting” is construed broadly, and is not confined to “formal” assemblages at which a ritualistic vote takes place. The legislature intended to make open the entire decision-making process by the enactment of the Sunshine Law.
– Wikipedia
Public records are just that: public. If you ask for public records and cannot get them, that is a violation of the Sunshine Law. There are a few instances, where information of residences of certain job holders, such as a prison guard, are withheld for safety reasons, but this does not cover a politician’s travels. That is public record. What do these travels entail? This is a big foot in the door for slashing democracy, and going against Florida’s open records tradition, keeping you in the dark.
Republicans, you need to see what is happening around this state. It is the very drastic regulation of people and their rights, under the guise of “freedom” and “security.” You had better figure out, and soon, that these new laws and regulations are NOT in your favor, but they do favor an authoritarian regime.
joseph falis says
What a joke , Florida the “Sunshine State “, is rapidly being ” shuddered by DeSantis and the GOP. It should soon be called the “Dark ” state.
MeToo says
I’m a republican and this man has made me consider changing my affiliation. I do not trust any of them but this guy is something else….
Pogo says
@joseph falis
True. But sadly, goddamn bloody “Gunshine, Blood Money, State” is more like it.
Laurel says
MeToo: My husband was a lifelong Republican, raised in a Republican household. Once Trump stepped into the picture, he made the hard decision to change to NPA (non-party affiliated). He claims he did not leave the Republican Party, but the Republican Party left him. Republican values are in the rear view mirror these days. You are not alone.
We believe DeSantis is even more dangerous. Watch them, Trump and DeSantis, fight over being the whitest.
Enough says
So, he can travel anywhere on Floridians dime, and not be liable to answer to the citizens of his very own state. Seems like he is becoming more and more a dictator every day. Actually, he has become a dictator. His past and current actions prove it. And the dummies just keep agreeing with him. Just like Trump, this guy craves uninformed ignorant people.
Laurel says
Flagler Live: How about an article on Mickey squashing DeSantis’ board members? Awww, come on, pleeeeeeeaazzzzze? I wanna gloat so much I can barely stand it! :D
Michele says
What planet are we on that anyone would allow this pos to change the laws for his benefit? WTH is going on?