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So far FOIFT has created 745 blog entries.

Weslaco commissioners plead not guilty to Open Meetings Act charges

2014-03-07T16:49:14-06:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Originally published March 6, 2014 EDINBURG — Weslaco city commissioners argued Thursday that they did not violate theTexas Open Meetings Act during a controversial November meeting. Mayor Pro Tem John Cuellar, commissioners David Fox, Lupe Rivera and Jerry Tafolla and former Commissioner Joe Martinez appeared before 139thstate District Judge Bobby Flores Thursday. All entered pleas of “not guilty.” A grand jury last week indicted the five commissioners and they have already checked in and out of the Hidalgo County jail after each person’s personal recognizance bond was set at $2,500. The charges are Class B misdemeanors punishable by a $100 to $500 [...]

Weslaco commissioners plead not guilty to Open Meetings Act charges2014-03-07T16:49:14-06:00

FOIFT honors Robert and Maureen Decherd with John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue

2014-03-06T19:04:14-06:00

AUSTIN - Robert and Maureen Decherd have been selected as recipients of the John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue in honor of their dedication to community service, open government and the First Amendment.   The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on outstanding Texans who represent the best traditions of civic involvement and enlightened philanthropy. The award is named for author, humorist and broadcaster John Henry Faulk, who spent much of his career fighting for First Amendment liberties.   Robert Decherd was one of the founders of the FOI Foundation of Texas, formed to protect freedom of [...]

FOIFT honors Robert and Maureen Decherd with John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue2014-03-06T19:04:14-06:00

Snowden to speak at South by Southwest via video

2014-03-05T17:39:49-06:00

By Richard Whittaker The Austin Chronicle Originally published March 4, 2014 Hero to some, villain to others: SXSW Interactive has just announced that Edward Snowden will be part of a videoconferenced conversation with the American Civil Liberties Union's chief technologist, Christopher Soghoian. In what is sure to be one of the most heavily anticipated and controversial discussions, Snowden will talk about his views on surveillance culture, the NSA, and what role the tech community can do to curb government intrusion into privacy. Snowden, a former CIA employee and NSA consultant, has been a divisive figure since his mass leak of documents, [...]

Snowden to speak at South by Southwest via video2014-03-05T17:39:49-06:00

Victoria Advocate editor on FOIFT and the public’s right to know

2014-03-04T17:43:20-06:00

By Chris Cobler Editor The Victoria Advocate Originally published March 3, 2014 The Calhoun County Republican Club invited me to speak Monday about an organization near and dear to my heart, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Many thanks to them for being such a welcoming and engaged audience. Here is a copy of my prepared remarks: I am honored to speak on behalf of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. It is a nonprofit organization that helps news organizations and the public across the state make sure the public's business is done in public. I'd like to start [...]

Victoria Advocate editor on FOIFT and the public’s right to know2014-03-04T17:43:20-06:00

Indictments filed against Weslaco commissioners over alleged open meetings violation

2014-02-26T21:28:17-06:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Published Feb. 25-26, 2014 Update on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 11:52 am: Documents unsealed this morning have confirmed indictments against several Weslaco commissioners. Lupe Rivera, John Cuellar, David Fox, Joe Martinez and Jerry Tafolla are accused of defying the Texas Open Meetings Act after having kicked the public out of a meeting. A judge set personal recognizance bonds at $2,500. --- Published Feb. 25, 2014, 8:56 p.m.: EDINBURG — Weslaco city leaders learned that indictments against them accusing them of defying of the Texas Open Meetings Act would be unsealed Wednesday, a city commissioner’s lawyer said. [...]

Indictments filed against Weslaco commissioners over alleged open meetings violation2014-02-26T21:28:17-06:00

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