News release

Attorney and former county judge Bill Aleshire to receive James Madison Award

2025-09-03T16:39:27-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 3, 2025 AUSTIN – Bill Aleshire, an attorney devoted to protecting the public’s access to government information, will receive the prestigious James Madison Award for his decades-long commitment to upholding Texas’ open meetings and open records laws. Aleshire, who initially made his mark in government transparency as a public official and served as Travis County judge, more recently has worked as a zealous attorney ensuring government compliance with the state’s Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the James Madison Award for dedication to the principles of the First [...]

Attorney and former county judge Bill Aleshire to receive James Madison Award2025-09-03T16:39:27-05:00

FOI Foundation to hold Open Government Seminar on June 19 in Denton

2025-06-09T18:59:19-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2025 FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on June 19 in Denton AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is holding an Open Government Seminar in Denton on Thursday, June 19, 2025, featuring training in state open meetings and public records laws. The free seminar will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Denton Convention Center, 3100 Town Centre Trail. The nonprofit FOI Foundation is offering the seminar in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The Texas Press Association is hosting the event [...]

FOI Foundation to hold Open Government Seminar on June 19 in Denton2025-06-09T18:59:19-05:00

Texas lawmakers pass Public Information Act response bill, other transparency measures

2025-06-02T21:06:03-05:00

For Immediate Release June 2, 2025  Texas Legislature passes Public Information Act response bill, sends it to governor  AUSTIN – The Texas Legislature has approved a measure requiring government agencies to respond to public information requestors or face consequences – an important step in making government more accountable. House Bill 4219, put forth by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, has been sent to the governor. It requires governments to issue a written response to requestors who seek records under the Texas Public Information Act, even if there are no responsive documents or a previous attorney general ruling [...]

Texas lawmakers pass Public Information Act response bill, other transparency measures2025-06-02T21:06:03-05:00

Athena Tseng to receive 2025-26 Ralph Langer Scholarship

2025-05-06T10:35:37-05:00

For Immediate Release April 30, 2025  FOI Foundation announces Athena Tseng is recipient of Ralph Langer Scholarship  AUSTIN – Journalism student Athena Tseng of the University of Texas at Austin has beenselected to receive the 2025 Ralph Langer Scholarship awarded by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Tseng will receive a $6,000 scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year. She is currently director of digital strategy for The Daily Texan at UT-Austin; a marketing and communications intern in the university’s Department of Computer Science; an engagement fellow for Texas Monthly; and editor of BurntxOrange, an alternative news site and digital-first student [...]

Athena Tseng to receive 2025-26 Ralph Langer Scholarship2025-05-06T10:35:37-05:00

Support the FOI Foundation mission with a year-end donation

2024-12-30T11:26:51-06:00

It's that time of year - time to make a year-end donation to the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas to promote open government and protect the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. The FOI Foundation works to educate the public about government transparency through regional training seminars for government employees and local citizens; speaking engagements with civic groups and college classes; a state conference; an FOI hotline; meetings with state officials; and columns, newsletters and videos throughout the year. While some national organizations that use open government laws to compile information are struggling, the FOI Foundation of [...]

Support the FOI Foundation mission with a year-end donation2024-12-30T11:26:51-06:00
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