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Partial records released: TRS rent starts at $326,000 per month

FOIFT2020-01-27T14:47:17-06:00

By Bob SechlerAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Jan. 24, 2020 The Teacher Retirement System of Texas has disclosed partial costs of its office lease in an upscale high-rise under construction in downtown Austin, seven months after the American-Statesman first asked for financial details about it and the state agency sought to keep it secret. The starting base lease rate disclosed by the retirement system — which has an investment relationship with one of the developers of the 36-story Indeed Tower going up on West Sixth Street — equates to about $326,000 per month initially. That rate is below the current average for top-end [...]

Partial records released: TRS rent starts at $326,000 per monthFOIFT2020-01-27T14:47:17-06:00

Odessa American says city violating public information laws

FOIFT2020-01-17T16:32:52-06:00

By Royal McGregorOdessa AmericanOriginally published Jan. 16, 2020 Signs point to another legal battle brewing between the Odessa American and the City of Odessa following a crackdown by the city on releasing crime information. The OA for decades has received prompt response for requests for information about crime in Odessa but that grinded to an almost standstill following a mass shooting in Odessa on Aug. 31. Some elected officials were unhappy that names of victims from the mass shooting were released quickly and a shift in how information was released on all crime in Odessa began. Public documents that had taken [...]

Odessa American says city violating public information lawsFOIFT2020-01-17T16:32:52-06:00

Newly enacted Texas law to shine light on spending of taxpayer money

FOIFT2020-01-06T17:18:49-06:00

By Asher PriceAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Jan. 3, 2020 How much taxpayer money did the University of Texas pay the rapper Ludacris to perform after a spring football game last year? Or how much money is the Teacher Retirement System paying for new digs in downtown Austin? Public entities declined to release information that would answer either of these questions, posed by the American-Statesman, citing rulings handed down by the Texas Supreme Court in 2015. They were among dozens of requests the Statesman made under the Texas Public Information Act over the past four years that were denied, citing the same rulings. [...]

Newly enacted Texas law to shine light on spending of taxpayer moneyFOIFT2020-01-06T17:18:49-06:00

FOI Foundation files amicus brief in gag order case stemming from Amber Guyger trial

FOIFT2019-12-06T17:55:25-06:00

By Dana BranhamThe Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published Dec. 5, 2019 Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot filed a motion Thursday seeking dismissal of his contempt case, in which he is accused of violating a gag order in the murder trial of former Dallas police Officer Amber Guyger for the fatal shooting of Botham Jean. State District Judge Tammy Kemp, who presided over Guyger’s trial, filed a show-cause order in October requiring Creuzot to appear in court to explain why he should not be held in contempt for giving an interview to KDFW-TV about the case. In the order, Kemp said the [...]

FOI Foundation files amicus brief in gag order case stemming from Amber Guyger trialFOIFT2019-12-06T17:55:25-06:00

Sunshine Week: Free speech, public’s right to know under attack in Texas, so let’s act now

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:25-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director FOI Foundation of Texas We Texans are fiercely independent and like to make our views known. On that, surely, we can agree. Using our First Amendment right to speak out goes hand in hand with access to public information that helps us understand how our government functions. Unfortunately, both basic American principles – free speech and the people’s right to know – are under attack in Texas. There’s no better time to urge our state lawmakers to protect these precious freedoms than “Sunshine Week,” March 10-16, a nationwide celebration of open government. The Texas Sunshine Coalition, [...]

Sunshine Week: Free speech, public’s right to know under attack in Texas, so let’s act nowFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:25-05:00

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