FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

The truth about the Texas Citizens Participation Act

FOIFT2025-02-10T15:32:31-06:00

By Robert Sherwin and Laura Prather The Texas Lawbook Originally published Feb. 6, 2025 Below is an excerpt from the article. Read the full story here. -- The truth is that the TCPA allows Texans to speak freely on matters of public concern without having to fear reprisal from powerful interests. The TCPA allows for an expedited motion to dismiss baseless lawsuits in order to spare Texas citizens from intrusive and expensive legal proceedings. To ensure that protection, the TCPA includes an automatic stay of discovery and the right to pursue an interlocutory appeal of a trial court’s decision. The law [...]

The truth about the Texas Citizens Participation ActFOIFT2025-02-10T15:32:31-06:00

How a Texas bill endangers “SLAPP” victims and their free speech rights

FOIFT2025-02-06T10:57:37-06:00

By JT Morris and Caroline Divver Law.com Originally published Jan. 27, 2025 There is no better example of a proposal that endangers the Texas Citizens Participation Act than just-filed Texas Senate Bill 336. This is not the first time a bill has targeted the automatic stay. Read the full story here at Law.com.

How a Texas bill endangers “SLAPP” victims and their free speech rightsFOIFT2025-02-06T10:57:37-06:00

Sunshine Coalition pressing transparency legislation at Texas Capitol

FOIFT2025-02-18T12:19:10-06:00

The Texas Sunshine Coalition, a diverse group of organizations supporting government transparency, is working to pass state legislation this year to promote the free flow of information. Organizations participating in the Sunshine Coalition are the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas; Texas Association of Broadcasters; Texas Press Association; Texas Public Policy Foundation; Institute for Justice; ACLU of Texas; Every Texan; Common Cause; Grassroots America; League of Women Voters of Texas; SMU School of Law First Amendment Clinic; Texas Appleseed; Texas Association of Licensed Investigators; Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom; Public Citizen; and PublicData.com. Some of the transparency bills have already [...]

Sunshine Coalition pressing transparency legislation at Texas CapitolFOIFT2025-02-18T12:19:10-06:00

After complaint about art museum photos, Fort Worth police department refuses to release report

FOIFT2025-01-31T09:36:26-06:00

By David Moreno Fort Worth Report Originally published Jan. 30, 2025 Weeks after Fort Worth police seized photographs featured in a Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth exhibit, the city has declined to release documents related to its investigation into child pornography allegations. Earlier this month, the Fort Worth Police Department confirmed they had launched an investigation into decades-old images by Virginia-born photographer Sally Mann that were featured as part of the “Diaries of Home” exhibition, which opened Nov. 17. The investigation followed a series of Dallas Express articles quoting County Judge Tim O’Hare, among other Republican leaders, calling for the [...]

After complaint about art museum photos, Fort Worth police department refuses to release reportFOIFT2025-01-31T09:36:26-06:00

City of Killeen violating state law on citizens’ comments, attorney says

FOIFT2025-01-13T15:24:22-06:00

By Kevin Limiti Killeen Daily Herald Originally published Jan. 12, 2025 The city of Killeen may have been violating the Texas Open Meetings Act in regards to citizen comments ever since June when the structure of the Killeen City Council meetings were changed. The Killeen City Council meetings start at 3 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month, divided into work and regular sessions with citizen comments taking place in between. But prominent Austin lawyer Bill Aleshire says that this is an obvious violation of the law, and past council decisions could be subject to being declared void [...]

City of Killeen violating state law on citizens’ comments, attorney saysFOIFT2025-01-13T15:24:22-06:00

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