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Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?

2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

By Alex Samuels The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 25, 2017 Hey, Texplainer: what social media information is subject to state open records laws? Is there anything off limits when it comes to what citizens can request to see? All social media is subject to state freedom of information laws, but whether you get the information you’ve requested depends on whether the communication is considered official business of a governmental body. According to Joe Larsen, counsel for Sedgwick Law in Houston, official business is any matter over which a governmental body has any authority. “It doesn’t really matter what medium it’s [...]

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

Despite evidence, Marlin ISD superintendent says uncertain future of district ‘made up’ news

2017-08-29T22:06:32-05:00

By Shelly Conlon Waco Tribune-Herald Originally published Aug. 24, 2017 Marlin ISD Superintendent Michael Seabolt has publicly accused the Tribune-Herald of fabricating facts about the district’s future, but emails from a Texas Education Agency official state otherwise. In a video interview with the online news outlet Marlin Pride, Seabolt, referring to an article published in the Aug. 17 Tribune-Herald, alleged the newspaper made up the fact that the district’s future remains unclear after the district failed state accountability ratings for the sixth year in a row despite making its most improvements since 2013. But TEA spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson, who was cited [...]

Despite evidence, Marlin ISD superintendent says uncertain future of district ‘made up’ news2017-08-29T22:06:32-05:00

AG: Spring Hill ISD must release scoreboard document it sought to withhold

2017-08-17T14:11:42-05:00

By Meredith Shamburger Longview News-Journal Originally published Aug. 15, 2017 Spring Hill ISD cannot withhold a document it had sought to keep confidential relating to financing for a new scoreboard at its football stadium, the Texas Attorney General's Office has ruled. The district has not said if it plans to release the document or appeal the ruling as allowed under the Texas Public Information Act. "However, there is a legitimate public interest in the essential facts about a financial transaction between an individual and a governmental body," Assistant Attorney General Tim Neal wrote in a letter dated Aug. 7. "Upon review, [...]

AG: Spring Hill ISD must release scoreboard document it sought to withhold2017-08-17T14:11:42-05:00

A.H. Belo president, Dallas Morning News publisher Jim Moroney to receive James Madison Award

2017-08-16T22:04:35-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 16, 2017   AUSTIN – Jim Moroney, publisher of The Dallas Morning News and chief executive officer of the A. H. Belo Corporation, is the recipient of the 2017 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.   The prestigious award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented Sept. 14 at the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon during the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin.   “Jim Moroney puts into practice every day the idea that [...]

A.H. Belo president, Dallas Morning News publisher Jim Moroney to receive James Madison Award2017-08-16T22:04:35-05:00

Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts

2017-08-14T18:41:09-05:00

By Olivia Krauth Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 13, 2017 In June, the American-Statesman sent public records requests to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, among other Austin- and Texas-based politicians, asking for lists of whom they block from following their public, taxpayer-funded Twitter accounts. The governor, citing public safety concerns, said, no. His fear: Russian hackers. Lawyers for each office said they are asking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to rule that the information is exempt from required public disclosure. Both argue that divulging the names of the blocked accounts constitute “a computer network vulnerability report.” Abbott and [...]

Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts2017-08-14T18:41:09-05:00

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