How “open to the public” is the Constitution Revision Commission going to be?

A coalition of progressive groups wants to know: How “open to the public” is the Constitution Revision Commission going to be?

The coalition—including the League of Women Voters of Florida, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, Common Cause Florida and seven others—sent a letter to Chairman Carlos Beruff and other commissioners Monday.

Among other concerns, the letter cites commission rule 1.23 on open meetings and records: “All proceedings and records of the Commission shall be open to the public.”

“Will this rule be interpreted to mean that two Commissioners can meet privately to discuss Commission business?” the letter asks. That’s similar to the rule governing state lawmakers.

“Or does the more stringent Sunshine Law apply?” it then asks. That would prohibit any two or more commissioners from meeting privately.

“We urge you to clarify this rule so as to avoid confusion and suspicion among members of the public, members of the press and members of the Commission.”

Attorney Tim Cerio, who chairs the Commission’s Committee on Rules, said he hadn’t seen the missive when asked after a committee meeting Monday in the Capitol.

“I want to look at the letter, but I’ll tell you: 20 years ago, (commissioners) would talk outside noticed meetings,” he said. “That’s a fact … (and) 20 years ago, they did great work, they had great results. But they were not following full Sunshine (Law) 20 years ago.”

Source: Peter Schorsch peter@floridapolitics.com