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Lawmakers to wait for study of committee substitute posting proposal

2015-01-15T23:20:17-06:00

The Texas House, in debating its rules for the legislative session, decided Thursday to wait for the Texas Legislative Council to study a proposal that would require posting most "committee substitutes" to bills 24 hours in advance of a committee hearing. The idea put forth by Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, would give the public notice of a new version of a bill that is up for discussion in a committee hearing. That would benefit Texans who are traveling to Austin to testify on the bill, he said. Sometimes committee substitutes are offered at the last minute and those in the audience [...]

Lawmakers to wait for study of committee substitute posting proposal2015-01-15T23:20:17-06:00

FOI Foundation to press for open government at Texas Capitol

2015-01-13T20:07:31-06:00

As the Legislature convenes at the state Capitol, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is at work preparing to promote open government and free press legislation. We'll strive to keep the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act strong for the benefit of all. We'll weigh in on a multitude of bills that affect public access to information. Watch for frequent blog updates from the FOI Foundation of Texas throughout the 84th legislative session, which began Tuesday. Opening day at the Legislature is filled with lots of ceremony, numerous visitors to the Capitol and the important business of [...]

FOI Foundation to press for open government at Texas Capitol2015-01-13T20:07:31-06:00

Railroad to Texas officials: Releasing oil train reports could enable insider trading

2015-01-09T15:27:08-06:00

By Curtis Tate McClatchy Washington Bureau Originally published Jan. 7, 2015 In the latest attempt to keep states from publicly releasing information about crude oil trains, one railroad argues that the disclosures could facilitate insider trading. In a Dec. 29 letter to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Kansas City Southern wrote that the state “should not disclose information to individuals that creates the potential for investment activity by individuals having non-public information.” Other railroads had attempted to block the release of oil train information by arguing it would pose a security risk or compromise trade secrets. McClatchy obtained such data, however, [...]

Railroad to Texas officials: Releasing oil train reports could enable insider trading2015-01-09T15:27:08-06:00

Texas inaugural committee mum on who’s funding festivities

2015-01-08T19:18:38-06:00

By Christy Hoppe The Dallas Morning News Originally published Jan. 7, 2015 AUSTIN — From preparations for their inauguration, it’s clear that Gov.-elect Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick intend to dance with the ones who brung them. But it’s not that clear who will be paying for it. In a break from previous Texas inaugurations, officials said they will not release the identities of corporate and individual contributors who are bankrolling the $4 million festivities until after the Jan. 20 event. During his campaign, Abbott made increasing government transparency one of his top issues. “Abbott ran on a platform [...]

Texas inaugural committee mum on who’s funding festivities2015-01-08T19:18:38-06:00

Judge dismisses defamation lawsuit against Austin Bulldog

2015-01-08T19:08:37-06:00

By Marty Toohey Austin American-Statesman Originally published Jan. 7, 2015 An Austin court has dismissed City Council Member Don Zimmerman’s campaign-season defamation lawsuit against the Austin Bulldog, an investigative reporting website. District Judge Amy Clark Meachum ruled Wednesday that Zimmerman must pay the Bulldog $8,400 in attorney’s fees, plus $579 in court costs and other expenses and a $1,000 sanction for filing a frivolous suit, according to Bulldog attorneys. Peter D. Kennedy of the law firm Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody represented the Bulldog. The dispute arose from the Bulldog’s reporting on court records of a custody dispute over Zimmerman’s daughter. [...]

Judge dismisses defamation lawsuit against Austin Bulldog2015-01-08T19:08:37-06:00

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