FOIFT – Page 7 – Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Seize the Moment: At 50-year mark, celebrate and strengthen the Public Information Act

FOIFT2023-09-20T15:00:50-05:00

By Kelley Shannon With trust in government waning, a Texas law can help keep a closer watch on public officials. Even citizens who continue to have faith in government can use this law to stay better informed. How is taxpayer money spent? What’s happening behind the scenes as government decisions are made? The Texas Public Information Act produces answers to these crucial questions. The act has been here for us for 50 years and is essential in protecting our right to know. Like a well-built old house, the landmark law is constantly in need of upkeep, yet it withstands the test [...]

Seize the Moment: At 50-year mark, celebrate and strengthen the Public Information ActFOIFT2023-09-20T15:00:50-05:00

Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison Award

FOIFT2023-09-08T10:12:45-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 8, 2023 Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison Award AUSTIN – Bill Girdner, the editor of Courthouse News Service who has worked to require timely news media access to court filings in Texas and across the nation, will receive the prestigious James Madison Award. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. The foundation will present the award to Girdner at its state conference Sept. 28 in Austin during the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon. [...]

Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison AwardFOIFT2023-09-08T10:12:45-05:00

Federal judge temporarily blocks new Texas book-rating law

FOIFT2023-08-31T16:26:45-05:00

By Edward McKinley San Antonio Express-News Originally published Aug. 31, 2023 A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked a new Texas law that would establish a book-rating system and ban or restrict books with sexual content from Texas public schools. Austin-based Judge Alan D. Albright told lawyers that the state could not enforce the law when it was planned to take effect Friday, according to a spokesperson for plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit. The judge said he intends to publish a written order in the coming weeks blocking it entirely. Read the full story here.

Federal judge temporarily blocks new Texas book-rating lawFOIFT2023-08-31T16:26:45-05:00

Audit details backlog of public records requests at Austin Police Department

FOIFT2023-08-25T12:47:17-05:00

By Skye Seipp Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 24, 2023 If you file an open records request with the Austin Police Department, you might have to wait significantly longer to receive that information than if you sought records from another city department. An audit found the Police Department has a backlog of nearly 20,000 public information requests, largely because its staff to handle these requests is 20 times smaller than that of the city's — even though the Police Department receives double the number of requests per year compared with the city. These findings were presented to the Austin City Council [...]

Audit details backlog of public records requests at Austin Police DepartmentFOIFT2023-08-25T12:47:17-05:00

Judge says DPS must release documents related to Uvalde shooting response

FOIFT2023-06-30T08:39:44-05:00

By William Melhado The Texas Tribune Originally published June 29, 2023 A state district judge on Thursday ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin the process of releasing public records related to law enforcement’s response to the Uvalde school shooting, granting a request by The Texas Tribune and other news organizations. Over a dozen news organizations sued DPS last year, accusing it of unlawfully withholding the records related to the May shooting at Robb Elementary School. The records concern the botched police response, during which officers waited over an hour to confront the shooter who killed 19 children and [...]

Judge says DPS must release documents related to Uvalde shooting responseFOIFT2023-06-30T08:39:44-05:00

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