FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Roe v. Wade was filed 50 years ago, but Texas still won’t release the full legal files

FOIFT2020-03-08T18:09:43-05:00

By Karen BlumenthalOpinion piece in The Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published March 8, 2020 Getting state and local government records of any kind, especially those of a famous legal case that is nearly 50 years old, should not require a lawyer or a bucket of cash. The state’s Public Information Act is supposed to compel state and local governmental bodies to release records to those who request them within 10 business days. That kind of transparency is crucial to an open society and trust and accountability in government. But in recent years, accessing these documents has gotten harder and more expensive and [...]

Roe v. Wade was filed 50 years ago, but Texas still won’t release the full legal filesFOIFT2020-03-08T18:09:43-05:00

Austin officials fast-track new policy to release online videos of critical incidents

FOIFT2020-03-05T18:28:29-06:00

By Katie HallAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published March 2, 2020 Austin police are on track to begin releasing available video footage of new critical incidents by the end of this month under a new policy, police officials say. The video release policy — modeled after the Los Angeles Police Department’s rules on sharing footage — comes after the Austin City Council directed the police department in February to produce a clear protocol by the end of March. Read the full story here.

Austin officials fast-track new policy to release online videos of critical incidentsFOIFT2020-03-05T18:28:29-06:00

Odessa American files lawsuit against city of Odessa

FOIFT2020-02-19T15:15:30-06:00

By Laura DennisOdessa AmericanOriginally published Jan. 31, 2020 The Odessa American has filed a lawsuit against the City of Odessa to force the city to release public crime records in a timely manner and in accordance with state law. For months, the OA has battled the city to provide public documents to both the OA and the public that includes police reports and probable cause affidavits in a timely manner without redacting information that has always been considered public information under Texas law. “The amount of information the city has been withholding from the public is appalling,” said attorney John Bussian, [...]

Odessa American files lawsuit against city of OdessaFOIFT2020-02-19T15:15:30-06:00

Photojournalist fights for First Amendment rights, supports FOI Foundation

FOIFT2020-02-12T16:33:23-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN – Freelance photojournalist Avi S. Adelman, who received a $345,000 legal settlement after he was arrested when taking photographs in a public place in Dallas, has become a major supporter of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas The Dallas Area Rapid Transit board of directors voted in October to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by Adelman over his arrest by a DART police officer in 2016 as he photographed paramedics treating a drug overdose victim in public. Adelman was arrested on a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge and was held in the Dallas County jail for [...]

Photojournalist fights for First Amendment rights, supports FOI FoundationFOIFT2020-02-12T16:33:23-06:00

Know your open government rights, remember these basics

FOIFT2020-02-05T16:23:06-06:00

By Kelley ShannonExecutive DirectorFOI Foundation of Texas Whatever our political views, certainly we can agree we have the right to know how government is conducting business. How are taxpayer dollars spent? Who is influencing decisions? Access to information allows us to speak up and hold public officials accountable, while a lack of transparency diminishes trust in government. The Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act are the state’s main open government laws. Based on recent frequently asked questions about these laws, here are a few important reminders: Requested information must be provided promptly. That means as soon as possible and [...]

Know your open government rights, remember these basicsFOIFT2020-02-05T16:23:06-06:00

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