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Bail lawsuit accuses Dallas County of violating poor people’s rights in secret hearings

2018-04-04T16:04:28-05:00

By Michael Barajas Texas Observer Originally published April 4, 2018 The Dallas County Jail books about 67,000 people every year, a population roughly equal to that of the Houston suburb Missouri City. The conveyor belt driving Dallas County’s hulking jail complex, the seventh largest in the country, operates in a courtroom deep inside the Lew Sterrett Justice Center downtown. That’s where magistrates hold around-the-clock hearings to determine bail. On any given day, about 70 percent of the jail’s roughly 5,000 inmates are there because they can’t afford the price tag placed on their pretrial freedom. Arrestees say that before they enter bail [...]

Bail lawsuit accuses Dallas County of violating poor people’s rights in secret hearings2018-04-04T16:04:28-05:00

Keep the public informed by releasing the video in Austin bombing case

2018-04-03T21:56:07-05:00

By Paul Watler FOI Foundation Board Member April 3, 2018 As the investigation into the Austin bombings became increasingly urgent last month, police also worked to inform the public and enlist their vigilance. Interim Chief Brian Manley as well as state and federal law enforcement officials provided repeated news briefings on the hunt to identify and apprehend the serial bomber. When officers closed in, the bomber detonated a final device, taking his own life and deepening the mystery of his motives. Soon it emerged that the perpetrator made a video confession recorded on his cell phone. But the public was left [...]

Keep the public informed by releasing the video in Austin bombing case2018-04-03T21:56:07-05:00

Video: A conversation about Texas’ Public Information Act

2018-03-30T14:16:33-05:00

Watch video of a policy primer on the Texas Public Information Act, a panel discussion hosted March 29 by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and co-sponsored by the FOI Foundation of Texas and an assortment of other organizations. This was one of several Sunshine Month activities in Texas. Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey moderated the conversation, which featured First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, an FOI Foundation board member; state Sen. Kirk Watson; state Rep. Todd Hunter; and James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. https://www.texastribune.org/2018/03/29/livestream-conversation-about-texas-public-information-act/  

Video: A conversation about Texas’ Public Information Act2018-03-30T14:16:33-05:00

Register for Thursday’s TPPF policy primer on Texas Public Information Act

2018-03-27T18:55:44-05:00

Join the FOI Foundation of Texas and other Sunshine Coalition groups for Thursday's free policy primer on the Texas Public Information Act, hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation at their offices in Austin. Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin and Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi will be participating, along with James Quintero of TPPF and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather of the FOI Foundation. Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune will moderate the conversation. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 901 Congress Ave. A complimentary Chik-Fil-A lunch will be provided. Register today to reserve your seat.

Register for Thursday’s TPPF policy primer on Texas Public Information Act2018-03-27T18:55:44-05:00

City of Odessa commits to closed-door meeting reform after newspaper’s lawsuit

2018-03-21T12:50:59-05:00

By Corey Paul Odessa American Originally published March 20, 2018 The Odessa City Council will start keeping audio recordings of all closed-door meetings instead of written summaries, making it easier for the public to hold the officials to account if future violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act seem apparent. The agreement stems from a settlement between the City of Odessa and the Odessa American in a lawsuit filed by the newspaper in June 2017. The suit alleged that the City Council violated the state open meetings law weeks earlier, when a majority voted to oust the head of the board [...]

City of Odessa commits to closed-door meeting reform after newspaper’s lawsuit2018-03-21T12:50:59-05:00

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