FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

FOIFT announces Ralph Langer and Joel White scholarship recipients

FOIFT2026-05-05T11:11:11-05:00

For Immediate Release April 30, 2026 FOI Foundation announces 2026-27 journalism and law school scholarship recipients AUSTIN – Journalism student William Fry of Texas Tech University has been selected to receive this year’s Ralph Langer Scholarship awarded by the nonprofit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The FOI Foundation also has selected Casey McKee of the University of Houston Law Center as the recipient of the Joel White Scholarship for law school students in Texas. “Both students have demonstrated a strong commitment to journalism and protecting free speech and free press rights. We salute their important work and their desire for [...]

FOIFT announces Ralph Langer and Joel White scholarship recipientsFOIFT2026-05-05T11:11:11-05:00

Transportation agency tries to keep public comments about highway expansion secret from the public

FOIFT2026-04-27T10:18:20-05:00

By Andrew Wheat and Shelby Ligon Austin Free Press Originally published April 24, 2026 Public comments on plans to widen Austin’s MoPac Expressway should not be publicly released, according to the local highway entity promoting that road expansion. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority argues that, for now, the public comments are “confidential by law” and fall under protected, deliberative “interagency” communications — a stance that public information experts say pushes government secrecy to Orwellian extremes by keeping the public’s own input out of public view. -- Two Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board members, John Bridges and Joe Larsen, [...]

Transportation agency tries to keep public comments about highway expansion secret from the publicFOIFT2026-04-27T10:18:20-05:00

Open Government Seminar planned for May 19 in El Paso

FOIFT2026-04-16T10:50:58-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2026 FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on May 19 in El Paso AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is holding an Open Government Seminar in El Paso on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, featuring training in state open meetings and public records laws. The free seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the El Paso Community Foundation, 333 N. Oregon St., on the first floor. The nonprofit FOI Foundation of Texas is offering the seminar in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. “The training sessions [...]

Open Government Seminar planned for May 19 in El PasoFOIFT2026-04-16T10:50:58-05:00

Journalism, FOI leader Diana Fuentes remembered as force for free press, open government, optimism and compassion

FOIFT2026-03-30T15:34:49-05:00

Updated March 29, 2026 DEL RIO, Texas - FOI Foundation of Texas board member and past president Diana "DeeDee" Fuentes, who died unexpectedly after an accidental fall in Washington, D.C., was remembered at her Texas memorial service March 28 as an ardent advocate for a free press and open government and for her compassion for others. "Each interaction mattered to her. You felt special in her presence," said Josh Hinkle, president of Investigative Reporters & Editors Inc., where Fuentes was executive director. "She was this tiny giant in Texas journalism." Fuentes knew that journalists must proceed without fear in doing their [...]

Journalism, FOI leader Diana Fuentes remembered as force for free press, open government, optimism and compassionFOIFT2026-03-30T15:34:49-05:00

Sunshine Week Column: An eye on government can track taxpayer money, expose wrongdoing

FOIFT2026-03-16T14:44:01-05:00

By Kelley Shannon As we watch over our government, it’s often about the money. Are taxpayer dollars being spent wisely on social programs, road projects and employee pay? Can we view government contracts with outside organizations? What are the details of bond proposals on the election ballot? Long-established state open government laws – the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act – help us answer these questions and root out malfeasance. As we celebrate national Sunshine Week March 15-21 let’s recognize our transparency laws and learn how to keep them strong. Beyond detecting financial waste and fraud, journalists [...]

Sunshine Week Column: An eye on government can track taxpayer money, expose wrongdoingFOIFT2026-03-16T14:44:01-05:00

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