foiftexas

About FOIFT

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far FOIFT has created 764 blog entries.

Lake Austin group sues city over open meetings

2017-06-13T15:58:31-05:00

By Jo Clifton Austin Monitor Originally published June 6, 2017 A group of Lake Austin homeowners on Monday sued the city of Austin, claiming that the city’s notice concerning the zoning and waiver of environmental regulations on what is known as the Champion tract, was inadequate and therefore violated the Texas Open Meetings Act. According to the lawsuit filed by the Lake Austin Collective Inc., when City Council approved new zoning for the tract on City Park Road on Nov. 10, the notice failed to mention that it would also be approving waivers of environmental regulations as well as the Hill [...]

Lake Austin group sues city over open meetings2017-06-13T15:58:31-05:00

Questions Raised About San Antonio Council’s Closed Door Decision

2017-06-13T15:58:24-05:00

By Shelley D. Kofler Texas Public Radio Originally published June 2, 2017 Have City of San Antonio officials violated the Texas Open Meetings Act?  That’s a question being raised after council members decided in a closed executive session to sue the state over its new sanctuary cities law, instead of voting on the decision in a public meeting. At least three city officials or their spokespersons say that last week during an executive session, city council members and staff met and discussed whether the San Antonio City Council should sue the state to stop the implementation of its new sanctuary cities [...]

Questions Raised About San Antonio Council’s Closed Door Decision2017-06-13T15:58:24-05:00

Legislative Update: 2017 session

2022-04-13T14:39:06-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Major open government proposals to enhance the public’s right to know failed to pass the Texas Legislature this year in a disappointing anti-transparency display during the final days of the session. Fortunately, open government advocates worked to block several bills that could have hindered the free flow of information. And, under resolutions approved by the House and Senate, lawmakers will study ways to improve the Texas Public Information Act before the 2019 session. The non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas joined the Texas Press Association, the Texas Association of Broadcasters and other groups and lawmakers [...]

Legislative Update: 2017 session2022-04-13T14:39:06-05:00

Shifting more state functions to non-profits raises transparency questions

2017-05-24T17:27:09-05:00

By Mike Ward Houston Chronicle Originally published May 23, 2017 AUSTIN - In February, when Land Commissioner George P. Bush testified before a Texas House subcommittee about the details of a private nonprofit organization's management of the treasured Alamo, he assured lawmakers and the public that their business would comply with transparency laws that allow the public to know what's going on. Weeks later, though, his own agency declined to make public meeting minutes and other operational details about the Alamo Endowment and the Alamo Complex Management Company. The reason: "The Endowment and the ACM are GLO contractors, not governmental entities," [...]

Shifting more state functions to non-profits raises transparency questions2017-05-24T17:27:09-05:00

Texas Senate gambit to restore ailing public records law fails as House rejects amendments

2017-05-18T23:40:58-05:00

By J. David McSwane The Dallas Morning News Originally published May 18, 2017 AUSTIN – Hopes of strengthening the Texas public records law, weakened in recent years by court rulings and attorney general opinions, were dashed Thursday as Republican House Speaker Joe Straus rejected a Senate maneuver to salvage bills that were dying in his chamber. Last week, the Senate approved a half dozen amendments to a somewhat related House bill – including a measure to restore ordinary citizens' right to access contracts between businesses and their government – and sent back a very different bill to the House. Straus determined those amendments, authored by Sen. [...]

Texas Senate gambit to restore ailing public records law fails as House rejects amendments2017-05-18T23:40:58-05:00
Go to Top