FOIFT – Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

U.S. Supreme Court orders new look at case of arrested Texas journalist

FOIFT2024-10-28T09:48:02-05:00

By The Associated Press Originally published Oct. 15, 2024 WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a federal appeals court to take a new look at the lawsuit filed by a Texas-based online citizen journalist who said she was wrongly arrested in a case that drew attention from national media organizations and free speech advocates. The justices tossed out the ruling of a divided federal appeals court that found journalist Priscilla Villarreal, known online as La Gordiloca, could not sue police officers and other officials over her arrest for seeking and obtaining nonpublic information from police. Read the full story [...]

U.S. Supreme Court orders new look at case of arrested Texas journalistFOIFT2024-10-28T09:48:02-05:00

Five transparency experts on why AG Paxton’s Open Meetings Act lawsuit against Travis County has merit

FOIFT2024-10-09T10:14:09-05:00

By Tony Plohetski Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 9, 2024 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Travis County commissioners court, alleging that the five-member board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it secretly approved $115,000 in funding to help District Attorney Jose Garza secure his home. The allotment – which came to light when the American-Statesman began reporting on the issue in August – followed Garza privately asking commissioners for the funding earlier this year. Commissioners acted on a broad and vague agenda item that government transparency experts say was legally insufficient to inform Travis County taxpayers. Paxton, [...]

Five transparency experts on why AG Paxton’s Open Meetings Act lawsuit against Travis County has meritFOIFT2024-10-09T10:14:09-05:00

2024 FOIFT state conference videos available for view

FOIFT2024-09-24T15:40:52-05:00

Videos of sessions and speeches at the FOI Foundation's 2024 state conference are now available on our website's video page. And here are the individual links with descriptions of the sessions: 2024 Conference Panel - First Amendment under fire https://youtu.be/M6zNeNf45zk 2024 Conference Panel - FOI and the 2025 Texas Legislature https://youtu.be/n0Y24ChgYx8 2024 James Madison Award honoree: The SMU Dedman School of Law First Amendment Clinic (Tom Leatherbury speaking) https://youtu.be/zlRErbJA7Bo 2024 Conference Keynote Speaker - Kathleen McElroy https://youtu.be/3DW7X5L9smY 2024 Conference Panel - Attaining transparency: Real world stories https://youtu.be/Pr6U4j8nJbI

2024 FOIFT state conference videos available for viewFOIFT2024-09-24T15:40:52-05:00

The Texas Tribune, Fort Bend Herald win 2024 Spirit of FOI Awards

FOIFT2024-09-14T15:53:06-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 13, 2024 The Texas Tribune, Fort Bend Herald win 2024 Spirit of FOI Awards AUSTIN – News reporting on political interference with faculty in the Texas A&M University System and on city officials purchasing personal items using city money have won this year’s Spirit of FOI Awards. The Texas Tribune and the Fort Bend Herald received the awards at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Friday. KVUE-TV in Austin received an honorable mention. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award honors journalism that upholds First Amendment rights and promotes open government. “We are grateful [...]

The Texas Tribune, Fort Bend Herald win 2024 Spirit of FOI AwardsFOIFT2024-09-14T15:53:06-05:00

Keep Texas information laws working as intended; learn more at Sept. 13 FOIFT conference

FOIFT2024-09-08T15:18:26-05:00

Register today for the Sept. 13 FOIFT conference. FOI Column: Keep information laws working as intended to help all Texans By Kelley Shannon When it’s time to take a hard look at our public officials and decide which ones to re-elect – or reject – we need information. A major source of that information is the government itself. Access to public records and meetings is essential for us to know the facts and speak out about how government is run, during election season or any time. Among the tools at our disposal are the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open [...]

Keep Texas information laws working as intended; learn more at Sept. 13 FOIFT conferenceFOIFT2024-09-08T15:18:26-05:00

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