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The Texas Tribune, Fort Bend Herald win 2024 Spirit of FOI Awards

2024-09-14T15:53:06-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 13, 2024 The Texas Tribune, Fort Bend Herald win 2024 Spirit of FOI Awards AUSTIN – News reporting on political interference with faculty in the Texas A&M University System and on city officials purchasing personal items using city money have won this year’s Spirit of FOI Awards. The Texas Tribune and the Fort Bend Herald received the awards at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Friday. KVUE-TV in Austin received an honorable mention. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award honors journalism that upholds First Amendment rights and promotes open government. “We are grateful [...]

The Texas Tribune, Fort Bend Herald win 2024 Spirit of FOI Awards2024-09-14T15:53:06-05:00

Keep Texas information laws working as intended; learn more at Sept. 13 FOIFT conference

2024-09-08T15:18:26-05:00

Register today for the Sept. 13 FOIFT conference. FOI Column: Keep information laws working as intended to help all Texans By Kelley Shannon When it’s time to take a hard look at our public officials and decide which ones to re-elect – or reject – we need information. A major source of that information is the government itself. Access to public records and meetings is essential for us to know the facts and speak out about how government is run, during election season or any time. Among the tools at our disposal are the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open [...]

Keep Texas information laws working as intended; learn more at Sept. 13 FOIFT conference2024-09-08T15:18:26-05:00

Citing ‘blatant violation’ of open meetings law, judge pauses Austin charter amendment election

2024-08-30T09:49:44-05:00

By Ella McCarthy Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 29, 2024 The Austin City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it placed 13 city charter amendments on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, state District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled on Thursday. Guerra Gamble temporarily blocked the placement of those charter amendments on Austin ballots, but it remains to be seen whether voters will still see those propositions when they go to the polls this fall. The city could agree with the judge's temporary injunction, leaving the amendments off the ballot until a trial on the Open Meetings Act violations [...]

Citing ‘blatant violation’ of open meetings law, judge pauses Austin charter amendment election2024-08-30T09:49:44-05:00

SMU’s First Amendment Clinic to receive James Madison Award

2024-08-20T11:05:38-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 20, 2024 SMU Dedman School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic to receive James Madison Award AUSTIN – The First Amendment Clinic at the SMU Dedman School of Law will receive the prestigious James Madison Award for its work protecting the constitutional rights of free speech and free press. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award for outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. The foundation will present the 2024 award at its state conference Sept. 13 in Austin. SMU’s First Amendment Clinic focuses on First Amendment issues including freedom [...]

SMU’s First Amendment Clinic to receive James Madison Award2024-08-20T11:05:38-05:00

Save Our Springs Alliance sues Austin over lack of meeting transparency charter changes

2024-08-19T16:58:02-05:00

By Tara Brolley CBS Austin Originally published Aug. 19, 2024 AUSTIN, Texas — A lawsuit filed Monday in Travis County District Court challenges Austin's decision to place 13 proposed city charter amendments on the November 5 ballot. The Save Our Springs Alliance, its executive director Bill Bunch, and former Texas Attorney General's Office staff attorney Joe Riddell sued Mayor Kirk Watson and the City Council, alleging violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). The plaintiffs claim the council failed to provide adequate public notice and opportunity for comment when voting to include Propositions C through O on the ballot during [...]

Save Our Springs Alliance sues Austin over lack of meeting transparency charter changes2024-08-19T16:58:02-05:00
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