~ public records poll tax ~

What do you call it when government agencies require ID, a written letter, the permission of the county attorney and a five day wait to see a public record? This Florida County is finding themselves on the wrong side of the law.

They underscored that the common practice of requiring that public-records requests must be in writing and having these requests approved by the County Attorney Ron Mowrey is both illegal and time-consuming.
In a telephone interview with the Tallahassee Democrat before the meeting, First Amendment Foundation director Adria Gonzalez agreed. The proposed policy "is very problematic," she said. Requiring identification and a telephone number on a written request to obtain public documents are not in compliance with Florida law.