FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Legislation clarifies “business days” when responding to Texas Public Information Act requests

FOIFT2021-02-01T21:05:06-06:00

Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, has filed an open government bill designed to clarify "business days" for governmental entities responding to requests made under the Texas Public Information Act. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, some governments have refused to respond to TPIA requests if their physical offices were closed, even if the staff was working remotely. Many of those governments, citing guidance from the Texas attorney general's office, said such a day didn't count as a business day for the TPIA. Capriglione's bill would give clearer guidelines for TPIA response days. The proposed legislation is House Bill 1416.

Legislation clarifies “business days” when responding to Texas Public Information Act requestsFOIFT2021-02-01T21:05:06-06:00

Government financial transparency briefing with Rep. Giovanni Capriglione set for Feb. 9

FOIFT2021-01-25T21:44:29-06:00

Join open government advocates for a financial transparency online briefing with state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione at 9 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2021. The Texas Association of Broadcasters is hosting this free event. More information and registration is at https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Join-Us-for-an-Open-Government-Flash-Briefing.html?soid=1102410017667&aid=Jne3dQSWDYM

Government financial transparency briefing with Rep. Giovanni Capriglione set for Feb. 9FOIFT2021-01-25T21:44:29-06:00

Austin cites new state law to keep secret pandemic relief non-profits

FOIFT2021-01-11T20:50:22-06:00

By Ryan AutulloAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Jan. 8, 2021 More than $6 million in taxpayer money flowed to Austin nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but taxpayers might never learn the identities of the organizations that got the money or get a chance to dig into their stated need for assistance. The city of Austin is citing a little-noticed provision in a new Texas law to keep secret the identities of non-profits receiving taxpayer pandemic relief funds. Read the full story here.

Austin cites new state law to keep secret pandemic relief non-profitsFOIFT2021-01-11T20:50:22-06:00

Newspaper highlights its best uses of Texas Public Information Act in 2020

FOIFT2021-01-11T20:51:58-06:00

By Marshall ReidDenton Record-ChronicleOriginally published Dec. 29, 2020 Each year, Denton Record-Chronicle reporters send dozens of requests for public information, a quasi-formal process to obtain hard-to-obtain information from government agencies. Requests range from routine contract requests to more complicated asks that often get bumped to the Texas Attorney General’s Office for guidance. Read the full story here about some of the best uses of the Texas Public Information Act by the Record-Chronicle in 2020.

Newspaper highlights its best uses of Texas Public Information Act in 2020FOIFT2021-01-11T20:51:58-06:00

FOIFT challenges roadblocks to public information

FOIFT2020-12-09T17:22:20-06:00

News 4 San Antonio/WOAI broadcast this piece by reporter April Molina on Nov. 29 explaining barriers to public information that citizens are encountering during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/foift-challenges-roadblocks-to-public-information

FOIFT challenges roadblocks to public informationFOIFT2020-12-09T17:22:20-06:00

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