Sen. Kirk Watson

Register for Thursday’s TPPF policy primer on Texas Public Information Act

FOIFT2018-03-27T18:55:44-05:00

Join the FOI Foundation of Texas and other Sunshine Coalition groups for Thursday's free policy primer on the Texas Public Information Act, hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation at their offices in Austin. Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin and Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi will be participating, along with James Quintero of TPPF and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather of the FOI Foundation. Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune will moderate the conversation. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 901 Congress Ave. A complimentary Chik-Fil-A lunch will be provided. Register today to reserve your seat.

During ‘Sunshine Month,’ put spotlight on government accountability

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:31-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Shining light on government to hold it accountable is hardly a new idea. In fact, Texas was a national leader in this realm for more than 40 years. Sadly, the flow of public information in this huge state is slipping from the sunshine into the shadows. Some state leaders have been dimming the lights, ensuring that even the most basic information about our government is getting more difficult to uncover: Who, really, is that candidate running for office? How are our hard-earned tax dollars being spent? Remember the Alamo, and how do we track its restoration money? Texas [...]

During ‘Sunshine Month,’ put spotlight on government accountabilityFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:31-05:00

Alamo Trust to hold open meetings in wake of transparency concerns

FOIFT2018-01-16T16:43:05-06:00

By Scott Huddleston San Antonio Express-News Originally published Jan. 15, 2018 A nonprofit board overseeing the Alamo’s day-to-day operations will open its meetings to the public this year. But one state senator says state officials and philanthropists in charge of the historic mission and battle site and a far-reaching plan to improve it should do more to provide a level of openness befitting the Texas shrine. “The public just has an inherent right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. And we’re now talking about the Alamo, which is a big deal,” said Sen. Kirk Watson, one of several [...]

Alamo Trust to hold open meetings in wake of transparency concernsFOIFT2018-01-16T16:43:05-06:00

Sen. Watson, Rep. Capriglione receive FOI Lawmaker of the Year awards

FOIFT2017-09-15T14:50:54-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has honored Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake with its Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award. The award is presented periodically to legislators who ardently defend First Amendment principles and work to expand open government. Watson and Capriglione received the honor Thursday at the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference in Austin. Capriglione said the First Amendment is what all office holders are sworn to uphold and that he was accepting the ward not just for the work he has done but for "what we're about to do" [...]

Sen. Watson, Rep. Capriglione receive FOI Lawmaker of the Year awardsFOIFT2017-09-15T14:50:54-05:00

Open government advocates now focusing on 2019

FOIFT2017-07-20T14:48:36-05:00

By John C. Moritz USA Today Network Originally published July 19, 2017 AUSTIN – When a former employee of the world’s largest aerospace corporation began asking about the specific terms of the company’s lease agreement for its operations in San Antonio, it set in motion a chain of events that would gut Texas’ open government laws. And bills to restore teeth to the law that requires state and local governments to tell the public what they’re doing and why they’re doing it were blocked during the recent legislative session and likely won’t be revived until 2019. “This was a huge setback [...]

Open government advocates now focusing on 2019FOIFT2017-07-20T14:48:36-05:00

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