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Texas Railroad Commission chief’s ouster raises open meetings question

2017-09-20T20:25:21-05:00

By Mike Lee E&E News Originally published Sept. 20, 2017 The head of Texas' oil and gas regulator resigned this week under pressure from one of the elected officials she reports to, touching off a dispute over whether her dismissal had been properly handled. Kim Corley, who has been executive director of the Texas Railroad Commission since last year, said she was abruptly summoned Monday to commission Chairwoman Christi Craddick's office. Craddick, accompanied by two of the commission's lawyers, told her she could resign or the agency would begin the process of firing her, Corley said in an interview. "She said, [...]

Texas Railroad Commission chief’s ouster raises open meetings question2017-09-20T20:25:21-05:00

New Texas court access system raises old information demons

2017-09-20T19:49:45-05:00

By Kelsey Jukam Courthouse News Service Originally published Sept. 15, 2017 AUSTIN - The checkerboard of public access in Texas courts was the focus of a conference on freedom of information earlier this week that included a bureau chief, a local clerk, a legislator and a state high court clerk. In the face of political headwinds from elected court clerks, who see a goldmine in the records, the Texas Supreme Court clerk is now moving to unify public access throughout the Texas courts. A key part of the campaign is the engagement by the high court’s Office of Court Administration of a Plano-based tech [...]

New Texas court access system raises old information demons2017-09-20T19:49:45-05:00

Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dallas Morning News receive Spirit of FOI Awards

2017-09-14T19:40:42-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 14, 2017  AUSTIN _ Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing problems with the state’s child welfare system and with one city’s police response to domestic violence. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, highlights journalism that upholds First Amendment principles and promotes or uses open government laws such as the Texas Public Information Act. The awards were presented Thursday at the FOI Foundation’s state conference in Austin. One of the awards went to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in the Class [...]

Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dallas Morning News receive Spirit of FOI Awards2017-09-14T19:40:42-05:00

Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information

2017-09-01T22:07:41-05:00

By Emma Platoff and Jim Malewitz The Texas Tribune Originally published Sept. 1, 2017 Residents of Crosby, Texas woke Thursday morning to a 40-foot plume of black smoke darkening their sky. Don’t worry, said both government officials and personnel from Arkema, the owner of the plant emitting the fumes — there’s nothing toxic in your air. Locals had little choice but to take them at their word. That's because in recent years, state leaders have made it increasingly difficult for communities to learn what, exactly, sits inside the chemical plants in their neighborhoods — and just how dangerous it might be. The implications [...]

Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information2017-09-01T22:07:41-05:00

Transparency in government leads to real news

2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Whether depending on our government for storm recovery, good schools, police protection or other important services, openness and access to information are essential to ensuring the job gets done. A free flow of information helps citizens keep watch on their government. It also allows journalists to report on matters of widespread interest by scrutinizing public records and meetings and, just as importantly, asking necessary, tough questions of government officials. In short, transparency leads to real news.  It leads to the truth. Legitimate news organizations uncover what has actually happened – and even [...]

Transparency in government leads to real news2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

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