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Open government bills moving forward, getting hearings at Texas Capitol

2015-04-24T15:21:12-05:00

This week Texas legislators were busy hearing bills both good and bad for open government and freedom of information as end-of-session legislative deadlines loom. The House Judiciary and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee approved HB 1766 by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, that allows for continued reporting by the news media on third party allegations of wrongdoing. The Senate, meanwhile, passed its version of the bill, SB 627 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston. These bills are positive for the public's right to know. A rough bill for open government is HB 1118 by Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, which would allow government officials to [...]

Open government bills moving forward, getting hearings at Texas Capitol2015-04-24T15:21:12-05:00

Texas Senate approves third party allegation reporting bill

2015-04-22T17:21:31-05:00

The Texas Senate approved legislation Wednesday that allows journalists to accurately report on third party allegations on matters of public importance. Senate Bill 627 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, was agreed upon by the Texas Press Association, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and others. It clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court decision and allows reporting on allegations that shine light on such matters as contracting wrongdoing, youth commission abuse and mistreatment of special education students. A similar measure, House Bill 1766, is pending in a House committee.

Texas Senate approves third party allegation reporting bill2015-04-22T17:21:31-05:00

Legislators consider bill allowing for reporting on wrongdoing allegations

2015-04-21T20:33:42-05:00

Legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, that would allow continued accurate news reporting on wrongdoing allegations went before the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee on Tuesday. News organizations, trial lawyers and other groups have agreed on updates to House Bill 1766. The bill clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court decision and codifies what has been common law for more than two decades. First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, a board member of the FOI Foundation of Texas, explained that under the proposed legislation reporters could continue reporting on allegations involving matters of public interest such as the 21CT contracting scandal; [...]

Legislators consider bill allowing for reporting on wrongdoing allegations2015-04-21T20:33:42-05:00

UT regent asks attorney general for access to confidential information

2015-04-21T15:29:01-05:00

By Matthew Watkins The Texas Tribune Originally published April 20, 2015 When he abstained from voting to appoint Gregory Fenves as the new president of the University of Texas at Austin on Monday, UT System Regent Wallace Hall said he still had some "lingering, unresolved questions" about the admissions process at the flagship school. Hours later, Hall's lawyer requested help from the state attorney general to find some answers. In a letter to Attorney General Ken Paxton, Hall's lawyer says Hall wants access to supporting documents and evidence that was used to compile a consultant's report about the admissions policies at [...]

UT regent asks attorney general for access to confidential information2015-04-21T15:29:01-05:00

Texas lawmakers consider shielding information on suppliers of execution drugs

2015-04-16T16:01:27-05:00

By Paul Weber Associated Press via Laredo Morning Times Originally published April 15, 2015 AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Saying that executions in Texas are becoming "increasingly difficult to carry out," state officials Wednesday urged lawmakers to send Republican Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that would prevent even death row inmates from knowing the identity of lethal injection drug suppliers. The debate in the Legislature took place just hours before the sixth person this year was set to die in Texas, where the nation's busiest death chamber is again running low on inventory. The office of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton told [...]

Texas lawmakers consider shielding information on suppliers of execution drugs2015-04-16T16:01:27-05:00

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