Florida is moving closer to launching a federally mandated website to let the public know how and where its $13-plus billion share of the federal economic stimulus package is or will be spent.

Thirty-five other states, including Sunshine State neighbors Georgia and Alabama, already have their recovery websites up and running.

Florida’s should launch “early next week,” Gov. Charlie Crist said during a meeting of his federal stimulus team this morning.

Crist’s “stimulus czar” Don Winstead, who met with Vice President Joe Biden and others in D.C. last week to discuss recovery plans, said that the nation is “learning from Florida’s example” regarding open government.

The White House has promised an “unprecedented level of commitment to reporting in a way that is open, accessible and I think the nation is really learning from Florida’s example,” Winstead said. “It’s very appropriate with this week to see that.”

Winstead was referring to Sunshine Week, a celebration of the state’s broad open government laws, that began Sunday.

Crist said Florida’s recovery site should be up early next week “which will be great.”

“Yes sir. We’re within days of that. That’ll be another great step forward,” Winstead replied.

Tags: Charlie Crist, state agencies, state budget, State House, stimulus

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