FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Commentary: Governance by “We the People”

FOIFT2015-09-14T15:31:36-05:00

By Allan K. DuBois President, State Bar of Texas Published in Lufkin Daily News, Sept. 14, 2015 Celebrate Freedom Week is Sept. 13 through 19, 2015. During this week, Texas public schools are encouraged to focus student attention on the importance of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts. Constitution Day is on Sept. 17. On this day we commemorate the document, signed by 40 patriots almost 228 years ago, that frames our rights and liberties. Why do we have Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Day? While every day is cause [...]

Commentary: Governance by “We the People”FOIFT2015-09-14T15:31:36-05:00

LBJ Library Director Updegrove speech, open records discussions featured at conference

FOIFT2015-09-03T16:56:23-05:00

AUSTIN _ Texas ethics disclosures and access to university admissions records will highlight debate and discussion at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 17, when open government champions also will be honored. This year’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport Annual State Conference, “Transparency: Talk vs. Practice,” takes place at the Hyatt Regency in Austin. “Our state has a proud history of standing up for open government and the people’s right to know,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the FOI Foundation of Texas. “At this gathering, we celebrate those principles and look to strengthen them in the future.” [...]

LBJ Library Director Updegrove speech, open records discussions featured at conferenceFOIFT2015-09-03T16:56:23-05:00

FOI Foundation: Denton ordinance likely illegal

FOIFT2015-09-01T13:17:06-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Aug. 31, 2015 A 10-year-old city of Denton ordinance that could make criminals of City Council members who talk about City Hall secrets is probably illegal, according to the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation, which has called for the ordinance’s repeal. Houston attorney Joseph Larsen wrote the City Council a two-page letter last week on behalf of the foundation, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for open government. In the letter, Larsen detailed how the ordinance compromises the First Amendment free-speech rights of council members, the public and the press. The ordinance also usurps and [...]

FOI Foundation: Denton ordinance likely illegalFOIFT2015-09-01T13:17:06-05:00

Abbott withholding records with Paxton’s blessing

FOIFT2015-08-26T15:08:38-05:00

By Jay Root The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 25, 2015 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently added his voice to the Republican uproar over Hillary Clinton’s email scandal, congratulating a GOP presidential hopeful for saying foreign countries know more about her electronic communications than the U.S. Congress does. But Abbott, too, often uses a private email address for official government business, and in many years as a state elected official has often decided less is more when it comes to disclosing the communications. He has argued recently, for instance, that he is a "member of the public" in order to shield [...]

Abbott withholding records with Paxton’s blessingFOIFT2015-08-26T15:08:38-05:00

UT System sues AG Ken Paxton to stop records release

FOIFT2015-08-12T14:51:44-05:00

By Ally Mutnick The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 11, 2015 The University of Texas System is suing Attorney General Ken Paxton over his office's ruling that the system must release certain records related to an admissions investigation of the University of Texas at Austin. The information, part of an open records request by the Austin American-Statesman, is related to a report on UT-Austin's admission practices that was commissioned by system administrators. The investigation, conducted by Kroll Associates Inc., found that former UT-Austin President Bill Powers helped some students gain admission over the objections of admissions officials. In its petition filed [...]

UT System sues AG Ken Paxton to stop records releaseFOIFT2015-08-12T14:51:44-05:00

foiftexas

About FOIFT

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News