As Florida continues to be the most-watched state during the COVID-19 pandemic, not many inside the state government are making noise about transparency, but one Florida legislator is. State Rep. Carlos G. Smith (D-49) is still pushing for the Florida Department of Health to release detailed records on COVID-19.
Smith has been consistent in his mission to pursue the truth on the COVID-19, having his request for the disclosure for COVID-19 information by age, totally shot down in July of 2021. Officials cite a statute that prevented the information from being disclosed and has put away the issue until now.
Rep. Smith is continuing to push his lawsuit against the Florida Department of Health, arguing that it is necessary for public health that this data be disclosed. Reportedly, Democrats are siding with Republicans on shutting off avenues of information, everything from property records to Public Service Commission meetings.
Since the breaking announcement, the Orlando Sentinel has endorsed Smith's efforts, per Rep. Carlos G. Smith's Twitter account:
Thanks @OrlandoOpinion for the great endorsement in today’s @orlandosentinel of my public records lawsuit against the #DeSantis administration for COVID data!
“The state dug in its heels and refused @CarlosGSmith’s request. Now he’s taking the state to court.”
THAT’S RIGHT! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/EMmdCcARg1
— Carlos Guillermo Smith (@CarlosGSmith) September 12, 2021
The Orlando Sentinel has reportedly gone to court twice now for the noble pursuit to disclose public records on the pandemic, framing this as a fight against the Florida establishment and not a battle down party lines.
Smith is no stranger to defying the status quo. The Floridian previously reported on Smith when he recklessly claimed that Socialism never killed anyone. Smith's statement earlier this year earned him the condemnation of many big names in Florida Politics, such as US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).
