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Analysis: Hall saga begins with closed meeting, could end with a stage, spotlight

2014-05-16T14:36:05-05:00

By Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune Originally published May 16, 2014 This episode of the Wallace Hall saga begins with state lawmakers holding a transparency meeting in private. Some groups objecting to that opacity are financed by donors they will not reveal, some of whom aim, as Hall does, to change the way things are done in higher education in Texas. And it could very well end with a stage, a spotlight and an audience for a government appointee who has been trying to bring attention to the practices of the state’s most prestigious public university. Hall, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to [...]

Analysis: Hall saga begins with closed meeting, could end with a stage, spotlight2014-05-16T14:36:05-05:00

City Council looks at videoconferencing in meetings

2014-05-15T14:46:47-05:00

By Stephen Burnett Community Impact Newspaper Originally published May 14, 2014 Cedar Park City Council on May 8 discussed how to address legal requirements and technical challenges that would impede City Council members from joining special-called meetings remotely by video. Place 3 Councilman Lyle Grimes said he supports Cedar Park pursuing the idea once the city has an estimate for equipment costs. Place 5 Councilman Jon Lux said City Council may want to wait until another government tries the method first. “Being on the leading edge is always expensive,” Lux said. Assistant City Manager Josh Selleck said that if City Council wants to explore the concept, city [...]

City Council looks at videoconferencing in meetings2014-05-15T14:46:47-05:00

Mayor, city attorney respond to allegations City Council violated open meetings law

2014-05-14T13:44:08-05:00

By KVIA.com Originally published May 13, 2014 There was some confusion over how El Paso's City Council was able to announce its top choice for city manager when there was no vote.Mayor Oscar Leeser told the media Monday that City Council had discussed in executive session the conclusions of the committee that interviewed the city manager candidates and "came to a consensus" to move forward with Tommy Gonzalez. Gonzalez is the former city manager for Irving, Texas.The mayor and the city attorney were careful to say City Council had "deliberated" and "discussed" but did not "decide" to ask Affion, the search [...]

Mayor, city attorney respond to allegations City Council violated open meetings law2014-05-14T13:44:08-05:00

House transparency committee concludes grounds exist for regent’s impeachment

2014-05-13T12:52:01-05:00

By Madlin Mekelburg, Jacob Kerr and Jordan Rudner The Daily Texan Originally published May 12, 2014 Updated (2:56 p.m.): In a statement distributed by attorney Allan Van Fleet, Regent Wallace Hall said his impeachment would not solve the problems he has identified at UT System institutions. "When a Board encounters problems, coverups, and intransigence at a taxpayer-funded institution, is the proper response to hold those who are responsible accountable, or to impeach the board member?" Hall said in his statement. “If the Transparency Committee desires transparency, it should not seek ways to interfere with investigations that would expose improper conduct at the [...]

House transparency committee concludes grounds exist for regent’s impeachment2014-05-13T12:52:01-05:00

Attorneys allege judge abused court’s discrection in closing hearings

2014-05-12T21:14:11-05:00

By Deanna Boyd Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published May 9, 2014 FORT WORTH — State District Judge Jean Boyd abused the court’s discretion when she recently barred the media and public from two juvenile hearings, attorneys for several local media outlets allege in a court petition filed Friday. The petition, filed Friday afternoon with Fort Worth’s Second District Court of Appeals, is the latest in a legal fight that began after Boyd tossed reporters and other members of the public from two juvenile proceedings involving a 16-year-old boy accused of fatally beating a 17-year-old acquaintance with a hammer. The teen, identified [...]

Attorneys allege judge abused court’s discrection in closing hearings2014-05-12T21:14:11-05:00
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