 | Bob Gabordi is executive editor of the Tallahassee Democrat and Tallahassee.com. He can be reached through this blog, at bgabordi@tallahassee.com or (850) 599-2177 |
| Posted 3/3/2010 12:26 PM EST on tallahassee.com With due respect, this is just dumb. The House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee is considering a proposal that would exempt 911 tapes from Florida's public-records laws, although it would provide a transcript after 60 days. Talk about unwarranted government intrusion. One little question: Why? We asked my Facebook friends and fans of Tallahassee.com what they thought of the proposal. Inane was a common answer. Natalie Napier spoke for a lot of people when she said this: “Well duh! The last thing I'm thinking about when my house is on fire is it becoming a public record.” Are there some circumstances, such as domestic violence, when knowing the general public might find out could cause someone to be inhibited? Maybe, but those are few and far between. And if that’s the goal, propose that and let’s debate that. But don’t put a blanket on all instances. If the legislators truly want to make government more efficient let’s start with focusing on fixing what’s broken, and not breaking what’s fixed. Florida’s open-records laws work well. Don’t mess them up. |
No comments:
Post a Comment