FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Editorial: Texas AG off-base in decision not to release chemical locations

FOIFT2014-07-08T13:53:05-05:00

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published July 7, 2014 Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s comments about disclosure of where dangerous chemicals are stored in the state proved to be almost as explosive as a bin of ammonium nitrate. Abbott, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, has been criticized after his office ruled the Texas Department of State Health Services did not have to release the names and locations of the storage facilities, something the agency had routinely done in the past. That decision seemed particularly odd coming just a year after the horrific explosion of a fertilizer plant in West, when fire ignited a [...]

Editorial: Texas AG off-base in decision not to release chemical locationsFOIFT2014-07-08T13:53:05-05:00

Editorial: Abbott’s policy on public access to chemical information illogical

FOIFT2014-07-07T14:47:31-05:00

Austin American-Statesman Originally published July 6, 2014 When it comes to defending Texans’ right to know what their government is doing, state Attorney General Greg Abbott has been not just a watchdog, but a biting dog. During his political career, Abbott has demonstrated a commitment to government transparency second to no other current statewide elected official. In 2005, he was awarded the James Madison Award by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Abbott spoke these memorable words then: “Texas functions best when public officials recognize that government does not belong to them but to the people.” (To read the rest [...]

Editorial: Abbott’s policy on public access to chemical information illogicalFOIFT2014-07-07T14:47:31-05:00

Attorney held in contempt after challenging judge’s limit on public access to court

FOIFT2014-07-03T15:53:34-05:00

By Adriana M. Chavez El Paso Times Originally published July 2, 2014 A prominent El Paso lawyer was found in contempt of court and sentenced to 30 days in jail last year after challenging a Jury Duty Court judge's efforts to limit public access to the courtroom. Stuart Schwartz, a shareholder at the ScottHulse law firm who also is a former county commissioner, served a night in jail before being freed on a personal recognizance bond. The contempt charge from Jury Duty Court Judge Jerry Woodard was later dismissed. In citing Schwartz for contempt, Woodard acknowledged he had erred on constitutional [...]

Attorney held in contempt after challenging judge’s limit on public access to courtFOIFT2014-07-03T15:53:34-05:00

Editorial: Kilgore College transparency threatened by records tactic

FOIFT2014-07-02T20:56:28-05:00

By Longview News-Journal Originally published July 2, 2014 Kilgore College’s practice of sending every open records request to its attorney for review is almost breathtaking — and not in a good way. In an era that’s seen almost every taxpayer-funded entity in the nation looking for ways to reduce spending, this is a conscious — and utterly unnecessary — decision to spend more. The attorney who benefits from billing, at $195 per hour, to review the requests must know his services are not needed for this task. If he doesn’t, it may be time for the college to find another attorney. [...]

Editorial: Kilgore College transparency threatened by records tacticFOIFT2014-07-02T20:56:28-05:00

Abbott: Ask chemical plants what’s inside

FOIFT2014-07-02T14:28:40-05:00

By Jay Root The Texas Tribune Originally published July 1, 2014 Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott, under fire for blocking public access to state records documenting the location of dangerous chemicals, said Texans still have a right to find out where the substances are stored — as long as they know which companies to ask. “You know where they are if you drive around,” Abbott told reporters Tuesday. “You can ask every facility whether or not they have chemicals or not. You can ask them if they do, and they can tell you, well, we do have chemicals or we don’t have [...]

Abbott: Ask chemical plants what’s insideFOIFT2014-07-02T14:28:40-05:00

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