News

FOIFT ED Kelley Shannon on Austin’s Capital Tonight

2013-09-30T20:25:13-05:00

On a Friday segment of YNN’s Capital Tonight, Executive Director Kelley Shannon joined anchor Paul Brown to discuss the Freedom of Information Foundation and its mission, open government successes and failures during the 83rd legislative session, and the upcoming 2013 Bernard and Audre Rapoport state conference. FOIFT will host its annual conference this Friday, August 9th at the Sheraton Austin. Speakers, panelists and honorees include, Sen. Wendy Davis, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Rep. Todd Hunter, Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, Tom “Smitty” Smith, Laura Prather, Reeve Hamilton and more. If you would like to join us, please register today.

FOIFT ED Kelley Shannon on Austin’s Capital Tonight2013-09-30T20:25:13-05:00

Open government efforts are cause for celebration

2013-09-30T19:37:54-05:00

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published 13 August 2 An editor and reporter whose work in El Paso exposed a school test-rigging scandal and a state legislator from Corpus Christi who has worked to improve public access to government information are being recognized by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. In short, the group’s scheduled annual conference Friday in Austin is expected to be a celebration of and workshop on open government and the First Amendment. The accomplishments of these recipients are particularly suited for celebration. El Paso Times editor Robert Moore and former Times reporter Zahira Torres used the Texas Public Information Act to [...]

Open government efforts are cause for celebration2013-09-30T19:37:54-05:00

State insisting it be given info on Twitter users

2013-09-30T03:30:10-05:00

By Kolten Parker, Eva Ruth Moravec San Antonio Express-News Originally published July 31, 2013 AUSTIN — State police have demanded Twitter records from two users that officials allege made “terroristic threats” against lawmakers who pushed for abortion restrictions. One targeted user, Denise Romano, an Austin woman with a private Twitter account, explains on her page that posts are “satirical.” The second user’s account is anonymous and was unused for more than a year before a string of tweets specified in the Texas Department of Public Safety probe. In what appears to be an unprecedented move in Texas, law enforcement officials subpoenaed [...]

State insisting it be given info on Twitter users2013-09-30T03:30:10-05:00

Transparency Committee Proceeding With Probe of Hall

2013-09-19T17:03:52-05:00

By Evan Smith Published July 27, 2013 The co-chairs of the Texas House’s Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations have formally asked the University of Texas System to preserve all documents related to Regent Wallace Hall, against whom articles of impeachment are being considered, and to avoid retaliation against employees who may be called to testify. In a letter sent Thursday to Gene Powell, the chairman of the UT Board of Regents, and obtained Saturday by The Texas Tribune, state Reps. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and Dan Flynn, R-Van, request “that any and all documents relating to Regent Hall, his [...]

Transparency Committee Proceeding With Probe of Hall2013-09-19T17:03:52-05:00

Open government in Texas is getting more open thanks to new state laws

2013-09-19T16:34:50-05:00

By Dave Lieber, Dallas News Published: 25 July 2013 11:04 PM Don’t fall off your chair when you hear this, but the Legislature has enacted major changes in how Texans can monitor their local, county and state governments. These changes are for the better for both officials and the public. Texas is the first state in the nation to create a new way to monitor the work and deliberations of government officials. Each government, whether it be city council, school district, county commissioners court or a state agency, is now allowed to create an Internet message board where officials, both elected [...]

Open government in Texas is getting more open thanks to new state laws2013-09-19T16:34:50-05:00
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