Yearly Archives: 2021

This is another example of a local government still claiming pandemic "skeleton crew" as a reason for not responding promptly to Texas Public Information Act requests. This time it's the city of El Paso. The Texas attorney general's office needs to update its guidance on skeleton crew and remote work to fit with the modern work world. Read the full story here: https://elpasomatters.org/2021/06/29/as-city-attorneys-office-continues-on-a-skeleton-crew-access-to-public-records-remains-a-challenge/

This tweet by reporter Dave Hendricks about IDEA Public Schools is yet another example of abuse of the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas attorney general's "skeleton crew" guidance. The school system should have responded to records requests even though they were working remotely during COVID-19 over the past year. Most records are available electronically these days. Additionally, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has urged the AG's office to update its guidance on TPIA business days in relation to government office physical closures and "skeleton crews." The guidance needs to be adjusted for the modern work world and [...]