First Amendment rights, open government essential to democracy
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Sept. 4, 2014 Defending the U.S. Constitution is popular these days, when it centers on gun rights, states’ rights or search and seizure protections. As we guard the principles of our nation’s founders, let’s not overlook the all-important First Amendment of the Constitution and its guarantee of free speech and free press, which, along with public access to government [...]
Donnis Baggett to receive FOI Foundation’s James Madison Award at Sept. 12 conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 2, 2014 AUSTIN - Donnis Baggett, whose career has spanned more than 40 years in Texas journalism, is the recipient of the 2014 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award goes to those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment. It will be presented Sept. 12 during the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon [...]
Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Rep. Todd Hunter to speak at FOI conference
AUSTIN _ First Amendment and open government advocates will address court access, social media usage and updates to public records laws when the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas hosts its state conference Sept. 12. This year’s conference, “A Road Map to Open Government,” takes place at the Hilton Austin and includes speakers and attendees from throughout Texas. “It’s an opportunity for Texans who are devoted to open government - [...]
Texas Gavel Award winners announced; recipients to be honored at Sept. 12 FOIFT conference
The State Bar of Texas has announced the winners of the 2014 Texas Gavel Awards honoring journalism that deepens the public's understanding of the legal system. The recipients will receive their awards at a Sept. 12 luncheon as part of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference at the Hilton Austin. For information on registering for the luncheon and conference, click here. The full State Bar press release, [...]
Temple Daily Telegram, Alvin Sun receive Spirit of FOI Award
CORPUS CHRISTI _ Two Texas newspapers have received the annual Spirit of FOI Award for their extensive work using and examining the state’s open records laws. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association, was given Saturday to the Temple Daily Telegram among Class AA, or mid-sized newspapers, and to the Alvin Sun among Class A, or [...]
FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar in Rio Grande Valley
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 [...]
Registration open for FOIFT annual conference
Registration is open for the FOI Foundation's Bernard and Audre Rapoport annual conference taking place in Austin on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. Sessions are expected to address access to courts; best practices in public records requests; and upcoming open government efforts in the Legislature. The John Henry Faulk Luncheon taking place during the conference will feature presentation of the FOIFT's James Madison Award and the State Bar's Gavel Awards. Click [...]
FOIFT honors Robert and Maureen Decherd with John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue
AUSTIN - Robert and Maureen Decherd have been selected as recipients of the John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue in honor of their dedication to community service, open government and the First Amendment. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on outstanding Texans who represent the best traditions of civic involvement and enlightened philanthropy. The award is named for author, humorist and broadcaster John Henry [...]
FOI Foundation to co-host Open Government Seminar in El Paso
AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas announced details Wednesday of an upcoming Open Government Seminar in El Paso 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 Feb. 28. It is designed for government employees, journalists and members of the general public who want to learn [...]
FOI Foundation to partner in Texas Debates; first debate is Jan. 27
DALLAS/FORT WORTH – The four candidates in the Republican Primary for Texas Lieutenant Governor will square off in The Texas Debates: Race for Lieutenant Governor on Monday, January 27, 2014, at 8:00 p.m. CT. The one-hour live debate between Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, State Senator Dan Patrick, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples will be broadcast on television, radio and streamed online. Voters have a voice in [...]
FOI Foundation files brief supporting release of lawmaker’s records
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in a brief filed with Attorney General Greg Abbott has urged that a lawmaker’s records related to the American Legislative Exchange Council be made public. The FOI Foundation brief supports the position of the Center for Media and Democracy, which sought to obtain records from Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, pertaining to ALEC, a conservative think tank. Klick and the American Legislative Exchange [...]
FOIFT honors Rep. Todd Hunter, hears from Sen. Wendy Davis
PRESS RELEASE AUSTIN -- Prominent Texas legislators urged Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas conference attendees Friday to remain vigilant in their open government and free speech advocacy. Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, who received the organization’s inaugural Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award, said he was raised in a family that valued free speech and noted that many elected officials support open government and First Amendment rights. The [...]
Rep. Todd Hunter named Open Government Lawmaker of the Year
AUSTIN -- Rep. Todd Hunter, who has authored legislation to improve public access to government and protect First Amendment rights, is receiving the Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is chairman of the House Calendars Committee. He served in the House from 1989-97 and returned in 2009. He has long been an advocate for open government. Hunter will [...]
Robert Moore, Zahira Torres of El Paso Times to be honored with James Madison Award for reports on school cheating scandal
AUSTIN -- El Paso Times editor Robert Moore and former Times reporter Zahira Torres, who together did extensive reporting on a school test-rigging scandal, are the recipients of the 2013 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award is given annually to those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment. It will be presented Aug. 9 during the [...]
Davis, other Texas lawmakers to address annual FOIFT conference
Sen. Wendy Davis, vice-chair of the Senate Open Government Committee, will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference Aug. 9. Davis, D-Fort Worth, proposed a package of transparency bills during this year’s regular legislative session related to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Another of her open government bills ultimately included important updates to the Texas Public Information Act. For [...]
Dallas, Corpus Christi newspapers win Spirit of FOI Award
HOUSTON _ Two Texas newspapers have been honored with the prestigious Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award for their in-depth reporting that promoted freedom of information and open government. Presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association, the annual award was given Saturday to The Dallas Morning News in Class AAA and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in Class AA. The Dallas Morning News won [...]
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas praises open government advances
AUSTIN _ Texans will gain greater access to the records and actions of their public officials under several measures supported by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) and approved in the 83rd Legislature. FOIFT board members from across the state testified in favor of these leading open government proposals and First Amendment protections that won House and Senate passage, and now head to Gov. Rick Perry. “This is [...]
FOIFT names new Executive Director
AUSTIN — Kelley Shannon, a longtime Texas journalist, has been named executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Dale Leach, president of the foundation board of directors, said Shannon would begin her new duties Wednesday. She replaces Keith Elkins, who resigned in January to accept a position with an Austin television station. Shannon’s journalism career includes more than 20 years as a correspondent with The Associated Press, [...]
Call for Entries | 2013 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award
Submit your 2013 Spirit of FOI Award nominations Monday, April 8, is the deadline for electronic submission of entries for the 2013 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, which this year for the first time will recognize work in three divisions. Sponsored by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association and named after FOIFT’s former executive director, the award recognizes journalists and/or newspapers for outstanding [...]
Workshop on Public Information/Open Meetings to be held in Fort Worth
September 12, 2012 The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas will hold the fourth of five 2012 Open Government seminars around the state in Fort Worth. The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 28, at the Tarrant County College Trinity East Campus (Jones Street and Belknap Street) located at 245 E. Belknap (Room 1050, [...]