Thank you from the Florida Ethics Institute
Whether you attended an FEI Ethics Educational event, participated in the Ethics Rocks Benefit Concert, or contributed to our mission, we are truly grateful that you chose to join our Ethics Community!
In 2024, FEI remains committed to advancing ethics through advocacy and education! The Institute accomplishes this mission via its educational programs and partnerships. Below are a few of the many ethics highlights from the past year and our plans for 2024 and beyond!
FEI Making a Difference !
Florida Ethics Handbook
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In 2023 FEI published the first edition of the Florida Ethics Handbook-the only comprehensive guide to Florida’s governmental ethics requirements with the goal of publishing the Handbook annually to serve as an invaluable resource for those wanting to better understand the tools of governmental access and accountability.
The 2023 Legislative Session resulted in a host of changes to the Code of Ethics. The 2024 Edition of the Handbook, available now-contains analysis of recent changes in ethics regulations, as well as ethics court cases and advisory opinions issued in 2022-2023 and contains as a brief but rigorous review of Florida’s current ethics laws, and related constitutional provisions, by topic—including gifts, conflicts of interest, nepotism, financial disclosure, voting conflicts, and more.Â
FEI Ethics Educational Outreach Initiatives
• Ethics and Open Government Seminars: In 2023 FEI’s ethics educators have hosted or participated in more than fifteen ethics educational lectures and trainings and provided ethics, professionalism, and open government education to hundreds of public servants, as well as attorneys, and citizen ethics advocates to assist them in understanding the continuously changing landscape of ethics and open government regulations. In this capacity, FEI has partnered with organizations and associations including the Florida Bar, Florida Association of Counties, Florida Public Pension Trustees Association, and others to help their members meet and exceed Florida’s fairness and transparency requirements.
• Online Learning Initiatives: In addition, through our Online Learning Center FEI provides quality, up-to-date online ethics education available on demand. In 2024 FEI will record and offer new, current on-line ethics education modules which highlight recent changes in governmental ethics regulations.
• Ethics News Updates: FEI has authored and disseminated dozens of ethics news updates to the public spotlighting changes in ethics regulations, recent case law with ethics impact, and advisory opinions affecting Florida’s public servants, as well as investigation and enforcement actions by the Florida Commission on Ethics. Â
• FEI Assists Journalists to Empower the Public with a Better Understanding of Ethics: In 2023 FEI also assisted an array of journalists and media outlets, including Vanity Fair, Reuters, Forbes, The Guardian, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, Orlando Sentinel, and others in their understanding of Florida’s ethics laws and their application to facts involving ethics in the Sunshine State.
FEI Ethics Legislative Tracking Program
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During the critical period prior to and during each Legislative Session, FEI raises public awareness regarding proposed legislation impacting Florida’s ethics laws in real time through its Ethics Legislative Tracking Program.
In 2023 FEI published eight Florida Ethics Legislative Reports for the benefit of all in Florida—including the publication of the 2023 Post-Session Ethics Legislative Report detailing the significant actions which occurred during the legislative session relating to ethics in government.
In advance of the 2024 regular Legislative Session, which commences on January 9, FEI has published the 2024 Pre-Session Florida Ethics Legislative Report.
Our Call to Action!
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If you believe in our mission we humbly ask for your support of our ethics educational projects and initiatives. Through educational activities designed to facilitate ethical leadership and service through education, FEI is committed to ensuring that a public office is a public trust.
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With your help, we can begin the new year focused on empowering ethics with FEI as the central nonprofit leader in ethics understanding to build a more sustainable future in Florida.