The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Annual Conference in Austin brings together journalists, government leaders, attorneys and interested citizens to delve into the current issues of government transparency and free speech. We honor FOI heroes with the James Madison Award and outstanding journalism with the Spirit of FOI Award.

This year’s conference, “Seizing the Moment: the Texas Public Information Act turns 50,” was Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin, 1900 University Ave. See the detailed agenda below.

2023 Conference Agenda
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
Salons A,B & C, Level M3

8 a.m., Registration desk opens; coffee available
8:50 a.m., Welcoming remarks
9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Seizing the moment: Strengthening the Texas Public Information Act, Rep. Todd Hunter; Katherine “Missy” Cary, open government attorney; Rob Henneke of the Texas Public Policy Foundation; Josh Hinkle of KXAN; attorney Jim Hemphill of the FOI Foundation board (moderator).
10:15 to 11 a.m., Pressing for transparency in education, Kate McGee of the Texas Tribune; Dave Hendricks of KVEO CBS 4; Keri Heath of the Austin American-Statesman; John Bridges, UT-Austin instructor and FOIFT board member (moderator).
11:15 a.m. to Noon, How-to’s and best practices using the TPIA, Bob Moore of El Paso Matters; Rachel Clow of KRIS; Eva Ruth Moravec, news podcast producer and executive director of the Texas Justice Initiative; Diana Fuentes, IRE executive director and FOIFT board member (moderator).
Noon to 1:30 p.m., John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and presentation of the James Madison Award to Bill Girdner of Courthouse News Service and the Spirit of FOI Awards to outstanding Texas journalists.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Never give up: Making a difference with open government laws, First Amendment attorney Laura Prather of the FOIFT board (moderator); Uvalde parent Kimberly Mata-Rubio; Uvalde Leader-News publisher Craig Garnett; East Texas parents and open records advocates Kathy and Robert Dyer.

Photos from past conferences:

FOI Conference 2014

Paul Watler, an FOIFT board member and First Amendment attorney, leads a discussion in 2014 on the Texas Public Information Act that included state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi; Austin attorney Bill Aleshire; Texas Tribune reporter Terri Langford; and Amanda Crawford (not visible in photo), chief of the Open Records Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office. (Photo by Jack Plunkett.)

Photos from the 2013 state conference:

Panelists at the annual conference discuss open government legislation. From left to right, Tom

Panelists at the 2013 annual conference discuss open government legislation. From left to right, Tom “Smitty” Smith of Public Citizen; Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake; and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather.

Transparency in higher education panelists listen to questions from conference attendees. From left to right, Reeve Hamilton of The Texas Tribune; Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo; and Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press. Photos by Jack Plunkett.

Transparency in higher education panelists listen to questions from conference attendees in 2013. From left to right, Reeve Hamilton of The Texas Tribune; Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo; Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press; and Kelly Brown, editor of The Eagle of Bryan-College Station. Photos by Jack Plunkett.