Citizens for Government Accountability

The Florida Center for Government Accountability is growing!  In February, Citizens for Government Accountability/SWFL (formerly Women For a Better Lee), a nonpartisan watchdog organization advocating accountability and transparency, merged with FLCGA.

Women for a Better Lee was known for its focus on government transparency and harnessing the energy of the organization’s seasoned volunteers.  Not only will this extend the reach of FLCGA into southwest Florida, but it will also give the organization a boots-on-the-ground capability for the first time.

Lee County is recovering from a disastrous hurricane at the same time it is experiencing explosive development. The combination of unchecked sprawl, loss of tax revenues, and the need for social services presents a challenge to residents seeking transparency and the opportunity to share their vision for the future.

Currently, CGA/SWFL is focusing on potential conflicts of interest among county commissioners, changes in land use designations and rezonings, and planning and public input required to receive a $1.1 billion federal disaster relief grant to the county for hurricane restoration. While currently concentrating on Lee County, CGA/SWFL is planning to extend its watchdog and investigative activities to other parts of southwest Florida.

In its two years of existence, FLCGA has achieved numerous notable successes in investigating and reporting on government and organizational ineptitude and corruption.  CGA/SWFL will now be an integral part of the push to ensure accountability and transparency in one of the fastest-growing areas of Florida.  CGA/SWFL can be reached at CGASWFL@flcga.org  and welcomes the active participation of all interested citizens.