FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State Fair

FOIFT2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Editorial The Dallas Morning News Originally published July 15, 2016 When the Dallas Park and Recreation Board next meets to discuss Mayor Mike Rawlings’ plan to turn over management of Fair Park to the new Fair Park Texas Foundation, the public will be invited. The notes and records that come out of the meeting will be preserved and made available if requested. And when the board finally votes, probably next month, residents who will have to live with the decision will be invited to watch. That's the beauty of Texas' imperfect but absolutely vital open-government laws. That openness should not disappear [...]

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State FairFOIFT2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Texas Gavel Award winners announced

FOIFT2016-07-14T22:15:59-05:00

State Bar of Texas News Release, July 6, 2016 AUSTIN — In-depth stories exploring life under Texas’s sex offender laws, the use of civil asset forfeiture funds, and the mishandling of child-support dollars by an employer are among the winners of the 2016 Texas Gavel Awards. Journalists representing Texas Monthly, Victoria Advocate, KPRC-Houston, KLTV-Tyler, and The Texas Lawbook were selected as winners of 2016 Texas Gavel Awards, which honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. The State Bar of Texas will honor the winners at an awards luncheon September 8 in Austin in conjunction with the Freedom of Information [...]

Texas Gavel Award winners announcedFOIFT2016-07-14T22:15:59-05:00

July Fourth marks 50th anniversary of Freedom of Information Act

FOIFT2016-07-01T15:17:13-05:00

Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into the law the landmark federal Freedom of Information Act on the Fourth of July. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed an update to the law, adding new transparency measures. A reluctant Johnson signed the original legislation July 4, 1966, without fanfare. News Industry leaders and members of both parties in Congress had pressed for the law, which took effect in 1967. Johnson's signing statement distributed to news reporters in San Antonio who were covering the president during a Texas trip shows toned down commentary by Johnson about the law, according to the [...]

July Fourth marks 50th anniversary of Freedom of Information ActFOIFT2016-07-01T15:17:13-05:00

Obama signs law updating Freedom of Information Act

FOIFT2016-07-01T15:11:46-05:00

By Darlene Superville Associated Press Published June 30, 2016, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday measures to give the public greater access to government documents and records under the nearly half-century-old Freedom of Information Act. The new law will require federal agencies to consider releasing records under a "presumption of openness" standard, instead of presuming that the information is secret. Supporters say the shift will make it harder for agencies to withhold information. The law also cuts the number of exemptions agencies may use to block the release of requested information. A website will [...]

Obama signs law updating Freedom of Information ActFOIFT2016-07-01T15:11:46-05:00

Montgomery County officials indicted on Open Meetings Act charges

FOIFT2016-06-27T22:37:20-05:00

By Jesse Mendoza Community Impact Newspaper Originally published June 25, 2016 Three members of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court were indicted on Texas Open Meetings Act violation charges related to negotiations regarding the county’s road bond election in November. County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark were indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury June 25 and have since been released on bond, Doyal’s attorney John Choate said. Political consultant Marc Davenport, who previously worked on campaigns for Doyal and Riley, was indicted as well, special prosecutor Chris Downey said. “Over the course [...]

Montgomery County officials indicted on Open Meetings Act chargesFOIFT2016-06-27T22:37:20-05:00

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