Sunny Awards

Sunny Awards recognize state, local governments with perfect transparency scores

SR seal

Sunshine Review announced the 112 winners of its 2nd annual “Sunny Awards" today. The 2011 awards, which more than double last year's number, recognize the best state and local government websites in America that exceeded transparency standards. The Sunny Awards announcement preludes the launch of “Sunshine Week,” a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations, that celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken towards open government.

“Sunny Award winners deserve recognition for making information available to citizens and for setting a transparency standard that all governments can, and should, meet,” said Mike Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review. “Access to information empowers every citizen to hold government officials accountable. Official accountability is the cornerstone of self government and liberty.”

Since its inception in 2008, Sunshine Review has analyzed the governmental transparency websites of all fifty states and 6,000 local governments. Last year, 41 websites earned grades of ”A” transparency grades. Grading takes into account the proactive disclosure of information regarding budgets, meetings, elected and administrative officials, permits and zoning, audits, contracts, lobbying, public records, and taxes, as well as the ease of use and availability of information.

This year, Florida received more Sunny Awards than any other state, earning 20 awards. Other leading states included: Texas (12), Utah (10), Illinois (7), Virginia (6) and California (5).

Sunny Awards

2011 Sunny Award Winners