Media Contact
Contact Keli Carender at kcarender@sunshinestandard.org
Our Leadership
Michael Barnhart is the Executive Director of Sunshine Standard, an advocacy initiative arising from the Sunshine Review wiki, of which he is President. Barnhart joined Sunshine Review in 2009, bringing nearly three decades of political and public affairs experience to the position. Prior to joining Sunshine Review, Barnhart served as a Managing Director with a national public affairs firm; a Communications Director for a Fortune 100 telecommunications firm; a congressional Chief of Staff; and, a congressional Campaign Manager. Barnhart holds a Ph.D. in political science. He is a resident of Alexandria, Va., and a native of Michigan.
Available to Comment On:
- The democratic and constitutional principles underlying the necessity for affirmative disclosure and government transparency.
- The ratings of all 50 states, and thousands of counties, municipalities and school districts, as measured by Sunshine Review’s 10 Point Transparency Checklist.
- The status of Sunshine Standard legislation in various jurisdictions.
- Model legislation for a Sunshine Standard.
- How citizens can organize to effect enactment of a Sunshine Standard.
Sunshine Standard Mission
The Sunshine Standard is a project of Sunshine Review, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to promoting state and local transparency. To ensure that people possess the knowledge and information necessary to hold their governments accountable, it is imperative that all levels of government proactively engage in sharing information with their citizens. This ideal level of government transparency and openness is called the Sunshine Standard. Our goal is to reach that standard.
What We Do
Sunshine Standard is a one-stop resource for citizens seeking to enhance government transparency. Our Web site features news items about government transparency efforts across the country, as well as educational materials, model legislation, reference links, and guidance for grassroots activism. Reporters also will find contact information for experts available to comment on a range of transparency issues.
What you Need to Know
- Government transparency is a non-partisan issue.
- Affirmative disclosure and transparency are essential to self-government.
- Freedom of Information Act laws do not constitute transparency.
- The dynamics of government drive secrecy, not disclosure.
- Citizens are entitled to disclosure of all fiscal, budgetary, legislative, regulatory and administrative information.
