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Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Texas’ top court downsized the right to know

2015-10-05T18:48:12-05:00

Corpus Christi Caller-Times Editorial Originally published Oct. 4, 2015 Among the most basic of the reasons for We the People to have a right to know is so we can review how our government is spending our money. The Texas Public Information Act protects this right, with careful exceptions meant to protect commerce without infringing on this basic right. An example is the right of a private company that contracts with the state to protect trade secrets that make its products or services unique. Recently, the Texas Supreme Court extended private companies' right to keep secrets from the public way too [...]

Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Texas’ top court downsized the right to know2015-10-05T18:48:12-05:00

E-filing court system goes statewide; public access still to be addressed

2015-09-30T14:43:22-05:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Sept. 30, 2015 Saving an estimated 30 million pieces of paper a year, every major civil court in Texas has begun requiring lawyers and litigants to file documents electronically, providing 24-hour access to the courthouse for anybody with a computer and an Internet connection. The electronic filing system is now available in all 254 Texas counties, and the milestone — reached nine months ahead of schedule — will be celebrated Wednesday at the Texas Supreme Court, which mandated the change in 2012. “It’s been a major, detailed project. You don’t just wave a wand [...]

E-filing court system goes statewide; public access still to be addressed2015-09-30T14:43:22-05:00

Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details

2015-09-25T14:09:47-05:00

By Aman Batheja The Texas Tribune Originally published Sept. 25, 2015 Over the objections of Attorney General Ken Paxton's office, the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling in June making it easier for private companies to keep secret details of their contracts with the state of Texas and local governments, a move that public information advocates warn is ripe for abuse. In a 7-1 opinion, the justices ordered Paxton's office to block the release of some information contained in a lease between Boeing and the Port Authority of San Antonio because the aerospace manufacturer said making the details public could prove [...]

Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details2015-09-25T14:09:47-05:00

Dallas Morning News, KXAS, Temple Daily Telegram receive Spirit of FOI Awards

2015-09-17T19:26:30-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 17, 201 AUSTIN _ Three Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for their investigations that made use of state and federal open records laws and resulted in revealing, impactful stories. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented Thursday by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, was given to The Dallas Morning News and NBC affiliate KXAS in the Class AA large market category for the joint investigation, “Injured Heroes, Broken Promises.” The Temple Daily Telegram, a winner of the award last year, received this year’s Class A market for reporting on [...]

Dallas Morning News, KXAS, Temple Daily Telegram receive Spirit of FOI Awards2015-09-17T19:26:30-05:00

Citing shift to openness, CIA declassifies Kennedy, Johnson documents

2015-09-17T09:59:55-05:00

By Jordan Rudner The Texas Tribune Originally published Sept. 16, 2015 In a massive declassification, the Central Intelligence Agency on Wednesday unveiled roughly eight years of presidential daily briefings from the administrations of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson — the largest-ever release of such material. The briefings, which touch on everything from the construction of the Berlin Wall to the space race, are "among the most highly classified and sensitive documents in all our government,” CIA Director John Brennan said Wednesday at an event at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin. “For students of history, the declassified [...]

Citing shift to openness, CIA declassifies Kennedy, Johnson documents2015-09-17T09:59:55-05:00
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