Government Transparency and FOIA Reform: Sunshine Fest 2025 and Empowering Citizens

Attending Sunshine Fest 2025 was a turning point. Not just for me personally, but for what I believe is the future of public records access in this country. As someone deeply committed to government transparency, I walked into the event with a mission: to advocate for FOIA reform and to remind everyone that empowering citizens is not a side benefit, it’s the entire point of these laws.

This year’s Sunshine Fest gathered some of the most experienced journalists, attorneys, government officials, and advocates in the nation, many of whom have spent over 30 years fighting for open records. I was honored to be among them and to bring a fresh perspective rooted not in newsroom budgets or legal offices, but in everyday citizenship.

Exposing the Subjectivity in Vexatious and Unduly Burdensome Labels

One of the most eye-opening moments for me came during the Vexatious Requester Panel, where I had the privilege of speaking. The conversation centered around limiting requesters who supposedly overwhelm agencies with too many or too complex demands. What quickly became clear, and what I pointed out on the panel, is that these labels are entirely subjective.

There is no universal standard for what makes a request “vexatious” or “unduly burdensome.” That means agencies are left to interpret these terms on their own and surprise, surprise, those interpretations often lean toward protecting the agency rather than serving the public.

This kind of subjective gatekeeping is dangerous. It gives agencies the ability to deny requests based on arbitrary or retaliatory grounds. If we care about government transparency, this issue must be addressed in any real FOIA reform.

🎤 See full elevator speech here: https://rumble.com/v6se6rr-vexatious-requesters-and-government-retaliation-full-dc-transparency-speech.htmlhttps://youtu.be/KjrIlm7DwHQ

⚖️ See follow-up challenge here: https://rumble.com/v6se797-they-doubled-down-on-corruption-my-follow-up-speech-to-vexatious-in-dc.html

The One-Sided Nature of FOIA Accountability

Another major issue I observed, especially during the Enforcement Panel, is the lopsided way in which accountability is enforced. When a requester misses a deadline or follows up persistently, they’re often flagged or labeled as a problem. But when agencies miss statutory deadlines, ignore legal obligations, or delay without cause? Silence.

This isn’t just a procedural imbalance, it’s a fundamental flaw in the enforcement of public records laws. True FOIA reform must include real, enforceable consequences for agencies that fail to comply. Accountability cannot just apply to the public; it must apply equally to the government.

This imbalance was especially ironic given the spirit of Sunshine Fest: a celebration of laws that were created for the people, yet the panels too often focused on how to restrict the people from using them.

🗣️ See the full Enforcement Panel comment here: https://rumble.com/v6se7lv-the-law-is-for-us-my-comments-to-the-rtk-enforcement-panel.html

Meeting the Leaders of Open Government in Pennsylvania

One of the most meaningful moments of the event for me was meeting Liz and Nathanael from the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR). It was a valuable opportunity to explain who I am, what FOIA Buddy does, and why I’m passionate about empowering citizens to take control of their right to know.

Our conversation marked the beginning of what I hope will be a productive and respectful relationship. It’s important that government transparency advocates and open records officials communicate, not to agree on everything, but to better understand each other’s positions and build a stronger framework for the future.

How Outdated Agency Systems Are Hurting Transparency

While many FOIA reform discussions focus on legal language or enforcement, I came away from Sunshine Fest with another critical insight: the technology behind FOIA processing is embarrassingly outdated.

Agencies are overwhelmed not just because of the number of requests, but because they’re operating with systems designed for a pre-digital era. Paper records, manual tracking, and limited staffing create enormous bottlenecks that could be easily solved with modern solutions.

This insight explains why agencies sometimes view platforms like FOIA Buddy as disruptive. We’re not overwhelming the system, we’re just exposing how inefficient and outdated it already is. Real FOIA reform will require agencies to embrace digital tools that improve efficiency and accessibility, not fear them.

Why FOIA Isn’t Just for Journalists or Lawyers

One of the most frustrating realizations at Sunshine Fest was just how dominated the conversation was by professionals, journalists, lawyers, and government insiders. And while their expertise is invaluable, it’s time we acknowledge a missing voice: the everyday citizen.

FOIA and Right-to-Know laws weren’t written just for the press or legal scholars. They were created so any person regardless of education, profession, or income could access public information. But if that’s true, why are citizens rarely part of the conversation?

My mission with FOIA Buddy is to change that. I believe that every American should not only know these laws exist, but feel confident using them. That’s what empowering citizens really looks like.

During lunch, there was a panel of female requestors who discussed how they utilized FOIA in their own lives and why it is essential for transparency and accountability.

The Path Forward: Reform, Modernization, and Advocacy

Sunshine Fest reminded me that while progress has been made, we’re nowhere near the finish line. FOIA reform is long overdue and if we want to protect and expand government transparency, we need to focus on:

Eliminating vague and subjective labels like “vexatious” that agencies use to avoid answering lawful requests.
Creating accountability mechanisms that apply equally to agencies and requesters.
Modernizing FOIA infrastructure so agencies can efficiently handle requests with the help of technology.
Educating and empowering citizens to understand and use their rights under FOIA and RTK laws.

These aren’t radical goals, they’re common sense. But they require political will, technical support, and a cultural shift in how we view access to public information.

Final Thoughts:

Sunshine Fest 2025 was more than a professional milestone. It was a confirmation that the work I’m doing with FOIA Buddy is not only relevant, it’s urgently needed. While I learned from professionals who’ve been in this space for decades, I also brought something new to the table: a citizen-first perspective, backed by technology, and driven by a belief that transparency is the foundation of democracy.

I left with new connections, greater insight, and even more motivation to continue this work. Whether you’re a reporter, a lawyer, a public servant, or a concerned neighbor, FOIA is for you.

If you’ve never filed a records request before, now is the time to start. If you’re frustrated with the lack of accountability in your community, FOIA is a tool you can use to shine a light.

And if you’re ready to take that step, FOIA Buddy is here to walk with you.

More from Sunshine Fest

Special thanks to Rachel Mermon Photography for attending Sunshine Fest with me to document all of these moments.

From Citizen to Speaker: Getting Invited to Sunshine Fest 2025

When I first started using public records laws to expose government waste and misconduct, I never expected the call that came this year: an invitation to speak at Sunshine Fest 2025. As a regular citizen turned watchdog, I was asked to join a panel on vexatious requests, proof that everyday people are finally being recognized in the transparency movement.

With FOIA Buddy gaining ground and agencies taking notice, this invite wasn’t just an honor, it was a signal that the game is changing. The system may still be rigged in favor of agencies, but citizens are stepping up, and I’m ready to speak for all of us.

🔗 Read about how I went from requester to panelist at one of the biggest transparency events in the country:
From Citizen to Speaker: Getting Invited to Sunshine Fest 2025

Disclaimer

This article reflects the author’s personal experiences and informed opinions following participation in Sunshine Fest 2025, including attendance at public panels and discussions on government transparency, FOIA reform, and public records enforcement. All observations are based on publicly available information, applicable open records laws, and firsthand participation in the event. The article does not allege any unlawful conduct but critiques systemic practices and enforcement disparities within the public records process. Statements regarding the Office of Open Records (OOR) or other agencies are intended as fair comment on matters of public concern and are protected under the First Amendment. This content is offered for informational and advocacy purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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