Governor Crist Celebrates Open, Transparent Government

~~ ~~ ~Releases annual report of Plain Language Initiative’s progress in effective communication~ ~~ ~~

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today joined news reporters, newspaper editors and other members of the media at the First Amendment Foundation’s annual legislative luncheon. He spoke of the importance of Florida’s public records laws to the democratic process. Later this evening, he will host a reception at the Governor’s Mansion to recognize student winners of the 2008 Sunshine Week Essay Contest.

“Government must continue to honor the people we serve by remembering Abraham Lincoln’s charge that our government is ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people,’” Governor Crist said. “The people of Florida are our boss, and it is our responsibility to make government accessible and transparent to them.”

In one of his first official acts as Governor, Charlie Crist issued Executive Order 07-01 on January 2, 2007, and created the Office of Open Government and the Plain Language Initiative. Both are designed to help Floridians access information about state government and ensure that government’s actions are always transparent and accountable to taxpayers.

Governor Crist also announced improvements made in communication strategies by state agencies since the creation of the Plain Language Initiative. The comprehensive 2007 annual report released today outlines both the history of the initiative and the activities of the Executive Office of the Governor and 25 state agencies. The activities are evidence of the state’s commitment to ensuring open, transparent government.

“I applaud our employees for their effort and enthusiasm for the Plain Language Initiative and ensuring that the people of Florida have uncomplicated access to the information they need,” said Governor Crist. “Our commitment to communicate clearly and concisely is not only a one-year project. Instead, understandable communication is vital to our mission to embrace a culture of high quality customer service within state government.”

The Plain Language Initiative annual report includes summaries of each agency’s efforts to train employees in using plain language principles and strategies for ensuring effective communication in all correspondence, printed materials and on Web sites. In 2007, more than 21,000 employees throughout the state received training in plain language communication strategies. Approximately 12,500 documents produced by state agencies were reviewed or revised for clarity. Plans were also established to train new or transferred employees within some of the agencies. Others are scheduled to implement such training in the coming year.

In 2008, agencies will continue to train existing employees, review and revise more documents, and spread the culture of plain language through the work force around the state. Smaller agencies will solidify gains and ensure new employees are instructed on the importance of speaking with customers in language anyone can understand.

For more information about the Office of Open Government, please visit http://www.flgov.com/og_home. The annual report of the Plain Language Initiative can be accessed through the Governor’s plain language Web page at http://www.flgov.com/pl_home.