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Time to register: FOI Foundation state conference coming up Sept. 24

2022-04-07T16:10:20-05:00

Mark your calendars and register today for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference, to be held in person on Friday, Sept. 24, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on the University of Texas campus. Registration is also available for live virtual attendance for those who cannot make it in person. COVID-19 safety precautions, such as social distancing and other measures, will be in place. Among the confirmed speakers and panelists are Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, a candidate for attorney general; state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso; Eva Ruth Moravec of the Texas Justice Initiative; [...]

Time to register: FOI Foundation state conference coming up Sept. 242022-04-07T16:10:20-05:00

Supplying information swiftly – not delaying it – is government’s duty

2022-04-13T14:59:27-05:00

By Kelley Shannon If you work in government, here’s something to remember: You work for the people. It’s your job to ensure citizens can interact with their government and have the information they need to hold it accountable. That includes handing over public records when someone requests them.  In Texas, government documents are presumed to be open to everyone and can only be withheld under specific confidentiality exemptions in the state’s Public Information Act.  Many government employees understand this quite well. Some relish helping records requestors. Unfortunately, though, Texas is experiencing a wave of blocked or delayed access to public information. One [...]

Supplying information swiftly – not delaying it – is government’s duty2022-04-13T14:59:27-05:00

Austin police will now release video footage of critical incidents within 10 days

2021-07-23T21:22:30-05:00

By Kelsey BradshawAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published July 23, 2021 Austin police will now release video footage from critical incidents, like shootings that involve officers, within 10 business days of the event, the department announced Friday. Critical incidents include: Shootings in which an office discharges a gun, including incidents where no one is shot or if no allegation of misconduct is made.A use of force incident that results in death or serious bodily injuryAll deaths that occur while a person is in the police department's care Read the full story here.

Austin police will now release video footage of critical incidents within 10 days2021-07-23T21:22:30-05:00

Update on COVID-19 Texas Open Meetings Act suspensions

2021-07-09T00:22:26-05:00

Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that his March 2020 suspension of sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act amid the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted as of Sept. 1, 2021. Abbott suspended parts of the law requiring a quorum to be in one physical place for a virtual meeting and requiring a physical meeting place for the public to observe the meeting. The order required certain notice provisions to enable the public to watch and participate in the online or telephone meeting. Here's the brief announcement from the attorney general's office about the governor's June 30 decision: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/open-meetings-act-suspension-updates

Update on COVID-19 Texas Open Meetings Act suspensions2021-07-09T00:22:26-05:00

2021 Texas Gavel Award winners announced

2022-05-03T14:43:13-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 6, 2021Contact: Amy StarnesPublic Information Director, State Bar of Texas800-204-2222, ext. 1706, or 512-427-1706 [email protected] AUSTIN—Stories that critically examined the Texas criminal justice system’s treatment of the mentally ill and inmates regarded as innocent are among the winners of the 2021 Texas Gavel Awards.  Journalists representing Texas Monthly, The Texas Tribune, San Antonio Express-News, and Austin’s KXAN-TV were selected as winners of the 2021 awards. The Texas Gavel Awards, hosted by the State Bar of Texas Public Affairs Committee, honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. An independent panel of out-of-state journalists, editors, and journalism professors [...]

2021 Texas Gavel Award winners announced2022-05-03T14:43:13-05:00
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