foiftexas

About FOIFT

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

Open Government Champions: Former teacher, Austin activist effectively uses Texas Public Information Act

2017-02-22T21:14:11-06:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of opinion pieces on legislators and other Texans who are openly committed to sustaining government transparency and accountability. The articles are being prepared and distributed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association. By Dave Montgomery As an elementary school teacher more than a decade ago, Zenobia Joseph often found herself wondering why students entered her fourth-grade class “unable to write a complete sentence.” For Joseph, who was chosen Teacher of the Year at Austin’s Norman Elementary School in 2005, it marked the start of a journey [...]

Open Government Champions: Former teacher, Austin activist effectively uses Texas Public Information Act2017-02-22T21:14:11-06:00

Senators vow to fight confidential agreements they had to sign before viewing vote complaints

2017-02-10T16:41:24-06:00

By Nicole Cobler San Antonio Express-News Originally published Feb. 9, 2017 AUSTIN — Two Texas senators are promising to fight confidential agreements they signed before being allowed to view voter fraud complaints reported to the secretary of state’s office. Their plan to make the information public follows newly nominated Secretary of State Rolando Pablos’ declaration in a Senate committee hearing last week that “there is voter fraud in Texas, and we’re doing everything we can to prevent it.” In response to Pablos’ statement, Democratic Sens. José Menéndez of San Antonio and Kirk Watson of Austin asked him to provide them with [...]

Senators vow to fight confidential agreements they had to sign before viewing vote complaints2017-02-10T16:41:24-06:00

Texas Supreme Court ruling expands government exception for attorney-client privilege

2017-02-07T16:29:06-06:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American Statesman Originally published Feb. 3, 2017 In another decision that has alarmed open government advocates, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday carved out a special exception for public access to government information involving communication with lawyers. The 7-2 ruling said protecting attorney-client privilege is too important to force governments to disclose such information, even if the Texas Public Information Act’s requirements aren’t followed. Attorney-client privilege ensures the free flow of information and protects access to legal advice that is vital to better formulate government policy, said the opinion by Justice Eva Guzman. “Full and frank legal [...]

Texas Supreme Court ruling expands government exception for attorney-client privilege2017-02-07T16:29:06-06:00

Texas clerks look to derail web-based public access to court records

2017-01-31T14:55:50-06:00

By Ryan Autullo Austin American-Statesman Originally published Jan. 30, 2017 Texas court clerks are resisting a state proposal they say would strip them of their constitutional authority by making court documents available online for easy public access. The statewide database, re:SearchTX, holds records from all 254 counties and is backed by the state’s Supreme Court. It currently is used by judges and soon will be available to attorneys and the public — who could search for civil court records and review them, all from the comfort of home. Clerks say surrendering these records to a privately operated database would violate their role [...]

Texas clerks look to derail web-based public access to court records2017-01-31T14:55:50-06:00

Texas Supreme Court denies Wallace Hall’s bid for UT records

2017-01-27T16:42:57-06:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American Statesman Originally published Jan. 27, 2017 University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall Jr. is not entitled to confidential records of an investigation into UT admissions, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday. The unanimous court ruled that Chancellor Bill McRaven did not exceed his authority in denying the records to Hall over concerns that access to private student information would violate the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Because McRaven did not act improperly, Hall could not overcome sovereign immunity, a legal principle that protects government actors from lawsuits and other legal action, the court [...]

Texas Supreme Court denies Wallace Hall’s bid for UT records2017-01-27T16:42:57-06:00

CONTACT INFO

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

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

© Copyright 2026 | The Freedom of Information Foundation | All Rights Reserved | by HelixSEO

Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top