Three new Florida Web sites make government more accessible
 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – March 6, 2007 – Three new Florida Web sites attempt to make state government more accessible, understandable and responsive to insurance problems.

Insurance:  www.fldfs.com/ica
 
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink joined Florida’s new Insurance Consumer Advocate Bob Milligan on Monday to unveil a new Web site designed to educate Floridians about their vision for the position, as well as provide contact information for consumers with insurance-related questions:

“As I stated during the campaign, I want the Insurance Consumer Advocate to become a household name in Florida,” said Sink. “One of the first steps in strengthening the Insurance Consumer Advocate is educating Floridians about this position and how it serves the people.”

Open government:  www.flgov.com/og_home

The Open Government Web site features a video clip from Gov. Crist’s inaugural speech, in which he announced the office’s establishment. It includes information about Florida’s open government and public record laws for consumers, and links to other organizations that provide public record resources. Visitors can also access the Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program and the First Amendment Foundation.

The Office of Open Government Web site also lists state agency contacts charged with ensuring public record and Sunshine law compliance. Agency heads selected these contacts to serve as liaisons to the Office of Open Government. Consumers may also e-mail the Office of Open Government directly from the Web site.

Plain language initiative:  www.flgov.com/pl_home

Gov. Crist wants state documents and publications to be easier to read and understand. To accomplish that, the Plain Language Web site explains the purpose of this initiative and answers commonly asked questions, with examples of before-and-after documents edited to make the language easily understood. Floridians may request a translation of a state government document either online or by fax, and should receive a response within seven days.

Crist also told state agencies to review their communication strategies and then establish new standards and guidelines. As a result, the people of Florida should find future state publications and products easier to use. The Executive Order calls for agency reviews to be completed and procedures to be in place by April 2, 2007.

© 2007 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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