The Office of the Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Manatee County is celebrating Sunshine Week, a nationwide event taking place from March 12-18, which promotes transparency in government and raises awareness about the public's right to access information. Florida has a long-standing history of open access to public records, dating back to 1909 with the Public Records Law. In 1967, Florida enacted the Sunshine Law which establishes the public’s basic right of access to government meetings. As a result, Florida's Public Records and Sunshine Laws are among the strongest in the country, showing the state's commitment to keeping residents informed and engaged. During Sunshine Week, Clerk of Court employees take part in an annual training on Government-in-the-Sunshine and Public Records laws, with a focus on how to fulfill a public records request. While Sunshine Week only occurs once a year, Clerks play a crucial role in maintaining government transparency through accurate recordkeeping and efficient reporting every day. The Clerk’s office encourages the public to visit their website to learn how to access records online or how to contact our office to request a record at https://www.manateeclerk.com/departments/public-access/.