FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Appeals court orders release of Uvalde school shooting records

FOIFT2025-07-21T15:14:11-05:00

By Ayden Runnels The Texas Tribune Originally published July 16, 2025 A state appeals court judge on Wednesday ordered Uvalde County and its school district to release records and documents related to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, affirming a previous trial court order. A coalition of 18 news organizations, including The Texas Tribune, sued the City of Uvalde, Uvalde County and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in 2022 for access to body camera footage, 911 call records and communications made during the school shooting. Law enforcements’ response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting, in which 19 students and two teachers [...]

Appeals court orders release of Uvalde school shooting recordsFOIFT2025-07-21T15:14:11-05:00

Jan Crawford of CBS News to speak at Sept. 26 FOI Foundation conference

FOIFT2025-07-18T18:07:38-05:00

Jan Crawford, chief legal correspondent for CBS News and a recognized authority on the U.S. Supreme Court, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s FOI Foundation of Texas state conference on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Austin. Crawford's 2007 book “Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for the Control of the United States Supreme Court” gained critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. She has also reported on most of the major judicial appointments and confirmation hearings of the past 30 years. Stay tuned for more information on the day’s detailed agenda, which will feature [...]

Jan Crawford of CBS News to speak at Sept. 26 FOI Foundation conferenceFOIFT2025-07-18T18:07:38-05:00

Why Gov. Greg Abbott won’t release his emails with Elon Musk

FOIFT2025-07-18T17:37:45-05:00

By Lauren McGaughy The Texas Newsroom Originally published July 14, 2025 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doesn’t want to reveal months of communications with Elon Musk or representatives from the tech mogul’s companies, arguing in part that they are of a private nature, not of public interest and potentially embarrassing. Musk had an eventful legislative session in Texas this year. In addition to his lobbyists successfully advocating for several new laws, Abbott cited the Tesla and SpaceX CEO as the inspiration for the state creating its own efficiency office and has praised him for moving the headquarters for many of his businesses [...]

Why Gov. Greg Abbott won’t release his emails with Elon MuskFOIFT2025-07-18T17:37:45-05:00

Aleshire: Judge’s ruling shows officials must comply with Texas Open Meetings Act

FOIFT2025-06-27T16:27:14-05:00

By Bill Aleshire Attorney On June 23, Judge Catherine Mauzy signed our summary judgment order (Les Carnes, Jim Camp, Cathy Ramsey, and Gabrielle Moore v. Hays County Judge & Commissioners, Cause No. D-1-GN-25-002049, 126th District Court, Travis County, Texas) granting our clients' election contest and killed the $439 million Hays County Road Bonds due to Open Meetings violations for inadequate meeting notice and unreasonable restriction on time for public testimony on a bond package election. The bond package would have doubled the county’s (and taxpayers’) outstanding indebtedness. It’s a huge win for enforcement of the Texas Open Meetings Act. This case [...]

Aleshire: Judge’s ruling shows officials must comply with Texas Open Meetings ActFOIFT2025-06-27T16:27:14-05:00

Governor signs a leading Sunshine Coalition transparency measure

FOIFT2025-06-25T09:17:39-05:00

Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law House Bill 4219, requiring governments to issue a written response to requestors who seek records under the Texas Public Information Act. The measure, a proposal of the Texas Sunshine Coalition, was put forth by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. It requires a written government reply even if it is to say there are no responsive documents or a previous attorney general ruling allows withholding those records. Governments who don't comply could face consequences including being required to undergo more open government training. As the deadline approached Sunday, June 22, to [...]

Governor signs a leading Sunshine Coalition transparency measureFOIFT2025-06-25T09:17:39-05:00

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