Week of Wednesday, April 26, 2023 n Page 4 fortmyersbeachtalk.com
OPINIONS 19260 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Phone: (239) 765-0400 Fax: (239) 765-0846 Web: fortmyersbeachtalk.com Publisher Raymond M. Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers.com Executive Editor Valarie Harring vharring@breezenewspapers.com Editor Nathan Mayberg nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
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Bill to hide governor’s travel takes Florida down dark road By MARTIN DYCKMAN Guest Commentary Legislators who can’t seem to ever say no
to Gov. Ron DeSantis are about to repeal the people’s right to know where he’s been traveling on their dime and who’s been visiting him at his Capitol office, at the Governor’s Mansion where he and his family live rentfree, or anywhere else he goes as he explores the possibility of running for president of the United States. It’s just more destruction that’s in store for Florida’s once-vaunted public records laws. The state Constitution says all government records are public unless specifically exempted, but the exemptions— there are now already more than 1,100 — are fast devouring the rule. The newest subversion comes in Senate Bill 1616 and its House companion, HB 1495, which would block public records requests to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement—and any other law enforcement agency — for information pertaining to the transportation and security provided for the governor’s travel and residence. Those records presently provide the only means to track the governor’s travel or identify who’s been visiting him if he doesn’t care to announce it, which is often the case. Those are always legitimate questions of public interest, all the more now that DeSantis, the most secretive governor in recent memory, is busily visiting early primary and battleground states that would figure in a presidential campaign. In the last month DeSantis, apparently to test the national political waters, has given speeches in New Hampshire, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia and Michigan.
The bills originally impacted only travel records, but legislative committees amended them to also exempt “records relating to the security of the Governor’s office and mansion, including mansion security, facility operations, screenings and clearances,” as summed up in a Senate staff report. It’s artfully worded: “Screenings and clearances” mean visitors. Senate Bill 1616 was pushed through the Senate on Wednesday and was approved by a party line vote. An amendment by Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) to narrow the exemption failed, again along party lines. The bill now goes to the House where it is expected to pass. From the outset, the bills made the exemptions retroactive with no cutoff date. In the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Michael Gottlieb tried to amend the House bill to open travel records once the travel is completed. The Republicans shot that down. In doing that, they exposed their pretext for the legislation as a flat-out lie. The bill’s backers assert that the secrecy is necessary to protect high-level officials and those who guard them. Revealing names and places afterward could not possibly compromise any legitimate security concern. The Constitution requires the Legislature to justify public records exemptions with a specific reason. The exemption can be “no broader than necessary” to serve the stated purpose. DeSantis and his minions are counting on the courts to swallow their guff. The exemptions in this legislation are far
broader than necessary to serve any legitimate purpose. The proposed iron curtain around travel and visitors shields not just the governor and his family but also the lieutenant governor, cabinet members, the Senate president and House Speaker, the chief justice, and any other persons for who many of those officials have requested transportation or protection from law enforcement. The Constitution also requires a twothirds vote to enact any exemption, but there haven’t been any open government bills defeated during these last two years. The Republicans do what they’re told and the Democrats, some of whom can be flaky themselves on Sunshine issues, don’t have enough votes to stop them. The concealment of DeSantis’s travel and visitors isn’t the only worrisome assault on Sunshine still pending in the Legislature. Although it’s not couched as a public records exemption, SB 7050 amends election law to require quarterly campaign financer eports from state and local political candidates prior to filing their actual qualifying papers — current law already requires candidates to file those reports monthly. Voters should make a note of how their legislators vote on these matters. Open government needs to become an issue in every election campaign. As the Washington Post’s masthead slogan says with simple elegance,“Democracy dies in darkness.” Martin Dyckman, FLCGA News
As autism diagnoses rise, community outreach - and acceptance - is critical The recent announcement of caveat — and the limitations an increase in autism spectrum of now three-year-backward disorder among U.S. children looking data set — there’s no comes at an significant denying that more individuals moment: April is Autism and families are navigating the Acceptance Month, a campaign world of autism each day. to shift public perspective on On the flip side, researchers autism from mere awareness to have also found that the panwholehearted acceptance, demic’s 2020 arrival coincidinclusion, understanding and ed with a decline in autism compassion. evaluations — a disconnect New research by the federal that reinforces the critical need David Brown Centers for Disease Control and to reach more families where Prevention found that in 2020, they live, work and play. among 8-year-olds, one in 36 Here in Southwest Florida, (or nearly 3%) had autism. our team at the Cape CoralThat’s compared to one in 44 based, nonprofit Family from 2018. Initiative, through compassion Many suggest this rise illustrates the and innovation, is working to redefine autism impact of increased screening and greater programs and clinical services. We offer a awareness nationwide. But even with that family-centered approach that includes evi-
Guest Commentary
dence-based services, practical training and compassionate support, and are the first organization in the region with an on-site campus dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted with autism spectrum disorder. Early intervention remains a core priority; each month, we offer free autism screenings for children 1-3 years old. So does ensuring that our services are available to all in need, including lowincome families and communities of color. The new CDC research, based on studies of children in 11 communities across the country, found a 30% increase in autism spectrum prevalence among Asian, Black and Hispanic children from 2018-20; the prevalence among white children was 14.6% higher. By gender, researchers found prevalence in 4% of boys compared to just 1% of girls. Does that mean that girls are less likely to be See AUTISM, page 5
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