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Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent

2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas It’s quite simple, really. We Texans have a right to know how our taxpayer dollars are spent. It’s our money. We, the people, choose our government. Our elected public officials represent us. They manage and spend our tax money. But we, the people,get to decide whether they are doing it well. To do that, we need light shining on the workings of our government. But that essential element of our democracy is in jeopardy in Texas. Taxpayers are being denied information about government contracts with private companies and about tax [...]

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award

2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Aug. 27, 2018 For Immediate Release AUSTIN – First Amendment attorney Laura Lee Prather, a champion of free speech and government transparency, is the recipient of the 2018 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. Prather will receive the award Sept. 21 at the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon during the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin. “Laura is fearless and tireless in championing open government. No one in Texas has done more for [...]

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Editorials defend First Amendment, take issue with the press as ‘enemy of the people’

2018-08-16T20:04:39-05:00

Newspapers across the country are taking issue with President Trump's assertion that journalists are the enemy of the American people. Here are a few editorials and columns appearing in Texas emphasizing the importance of the news media and the First Amendment. Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/real-enemy-of-the-people-not-the-press-Trump-13159543.php The Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2018/08/15/first-amendment-helps-people-hold-elected-officials-accountable Fort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/editorials/article216767650.html Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/opinion/editorial-journalists-are-watchdog-neighbors-not-enemy-the-people/XzgIMMp6QYxURXoxFhazaI/ San Antonio Express-News: https://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/columnists/josh_brodesky/article/A-free-press-is-vital-to-the-people-not-the-enemy-13147915.php Victoria Advocate: https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/enemy-of-the-people-don-t-worry-we-have-your/article_3959e268-a09c-11e8-894b-27a62bdf885e.html    

Editorials defend First Amendment, take issue with the press as ‘enemy of the people’2018-08-16T20:04:39-05:00

Why everyone should care about government transparency

2018-10-16T22:49:22-05:00

Why Everyone Should Care About Government Transparency By Kathleen Stone Government transparency in the state of Texas is the big issue that no one is talking about. Or that’s how it seems to me, the public relations student who joined the FOI Foundation of Texas as the digital marketing intern roughly two months ago. I came aboard to revamp the Texas Sunshine Coalition website and lay out a new social media plan. Beyond a few journalism classes and a media law class, I really didn’t know that much about the issues surrounding government transparency. After spending some time studying the cases, I’ve [...]

Why everyone should care about government transparency2018-10-16T22:49:22-05:00

City manager: Open meetings, elections violations rampant in Haltom City

2018-08-06T14:53:32-05:00

Violations of open meetings and elections laws are flagrant in the Fort Worth suburb of Haltom City, Haltom’s city manager told The Texas Monitor this week. The problem is so pervasive that City Manager Keith Lane asked the state attorney general’s office, the Tarrant County district attorney, and the Texas Rangers to investigate violations by Haltom City officials of Texas’ open meetings law, election code, the city charter, and other laws. The alleged violations include times when city council has discussed matters in executive session in ways that violate state law, even after being warned against it. Lane also said some [...]

City manager: Open meetings, elections violations rampant in Haltom City2018-08-06T14:53:32-05:00

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  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

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