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Victoria Advocate: Bill would close loophole in obtaining information from private accounts

2015-03-04T15:41:09-06:00

By the Editorial Board Victoria Advocate Originally published March 4, 2015 Government is the servant, not the master of the people. This very principle, the first words of the Texas Public Information Act, is the fundamental philosophy of our constitutional form of representative government. All too often, elected officials skirt the law by conducting the public's business away from watchful eyes. With ever-evolving technology, a smart phone in every pocket, and some governmental bodies issuing portable tablets and other Internet-ready devices, it's easier than ever for officials to hide what should belong to the public. The Victoria Advocate experienced it first-hand [...]

Victoria Advocate: Bill would close loophole in obtaining information from private accounts2015-03-04T15:41:09-06:00

Journalists, FOI advocates urge passage of third party allegation law

2015-03-03T04:37:39-06:00

AUSTIN - Advocates for watchdog reporting testified Monday in favor of a Senate bill that provides limited protections for news accounts about potential wrongdoing that are based on third party allegations. Senate Bill 627 would codify what has been part of common law since 1990, said Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, as she introduced her bill before the Senate State Affairs Committee, which she chairs. Laura Prather, a First Amendment attorney and co-chair of the FOI Foundation of Texas legislative committee, testified that libel law is currently unsettled in this area because of a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling. News reporters covering [...]

Journalists, FOI advocates urge passage of third party allegation law2015-03-03T04:37:39-06:00

Legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter would strengthen Texas Public Information Act

2015-02-24T15:51:27-06:00

AUSTIN – Citizens requesting government records would have improved access to public information stored in private electronic accounts under newly filed legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi. House Bill 1764 amends the Texas Public Information Act to specify that a government officer or employee in possession of public records must hand that information over to the governmental body upon request. The Texas Legislature approved a measure in 2013 clarifying that public business, even if it’s conducted on private electronic devices or in private email accounts, is public record. That placed into law what the Texas Attorney General’s Office had been [...]

Legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter would strengthen Texas Public Information Act2015-02-24T15:51:27-06:00

Abbott includes ethics reform, cites need for transparency, in issuing emergency proclamations

2015-02-20T18:14:56-06:00

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cited the need for transparency as he issued five proclamations today for emergency items to be considered in the 84th Texas Legislature. The emergency designation means lawmakers can take up those issues earlier than other bills. Abbott included ethics reform among the emergency items, as he had announced he would do earlier this week during his State of the State address. "The faith and trust that Texas citizens place in their elected officials requires each of us to conduct the business of the state in the most transparent and honest manner possible," Abbott said on ethics reforms. [...]

Abbott includes ethics reform, cites need for transparency, in issuing emergency proclamations2015-02-20T18:14:56-06:00

Victoria County sheriff declines to release ex-deputy’s records in excessive force investigation

2015-02-19T15:25:34-06:00

By Jessica Priest Victoria Advocate Originally published Feb. 17, 2015 The Victoria County Sheriff is refusing to release records about a former deputy under investigation for excessive use of force. Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor said Tuesday that he must consult an attorney before complying with the Victoria Advocate's open records request for the employment application and personnel file of former Sgt. Daniel Bettes. O'Connor also would not release the dashboard camera video of Bettes stopping a motorist Oct. 10 because it is being used in a Texas Ranger investigation. He said the video motivated the sheriff's office to take action against [...]

Victoria County sheriff declines to release ex-deputy’s records in excessive force investigation2015-02-19T15:25:34-06:00

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