The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar for Rio Grande Valley residents featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws.
The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on Tuesday, June 17, in McAllen. It’s designed for government employees, journalists and members of the general public who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act.
“Texas open government laws provide important guidelines for public employees and essential tools for citizens as they participate in our democracy,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
The event will take place at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce conference room, 1200 Ash Ave. The Attorney General’s Office will begin the day with training on the Texas Public Information Act at 9 a.m. followed by TPIA cost rules training. Those sessions are free.
The FOI Foundation will present an afternoon training session on the Texas Open Meetings Act by attorney Tom Williams, the foundation’s vice president, starting at 1:15 p.m. The afternoon session fee is $50 to help cover materials and other seminar costs.
Sponsoring the FOI Foundation seminar are The Monitor and CourthouseDirect.com.
The sessions are approved by the Attorney General’s Office as meeting the state requirements for open government training for public officials. The daylong seminar also qualifies for Continuing Legal Education through the State Bar of Texas.
To register for either or both sessions, click here. For further information contact the FOI Foundation office at 512-377-1575 or [email protected].