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UT Regent Hall’s attorney faces tough questions over records in Texas Supreme Court hearing

2017-01-12T18:38:25-06:00

By Matthew Watkins The Texas Tribune Originally published Jan. 11, 2017 A lawyer for University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall faced tough questioning Wednesday from state Supreme Court justices over whether he should be allowed to see confidential student admissions records that the UT System chancellor has denied him. Four of the nine justices in particular drilled down into Hall's argument that he needs the information to fulfill his oversight role of the UT System and that Chancellor Bill McRaven broke the law when he denied Hall that information. But at least two other justices were far more receptive to [...]

UT Regent Hall’s attorney faces tough questions over records in Texas Supreme Court hearing2017-01-12T18:38:25-06:00

Texas news organizations cover legislative efforts to strengthen Public Information Act

2017-01-05T15:41:22-06:00

On Tuesday, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, filed legislation to strengthen the Texas Public Information Act and repair damage done by to the law two 2015 Texas Supreme Court rulings. News organizations around the state have written news stories and editorials on the legislative efforts. Here are some of the reports: The Dallas Morning News Fort Worth Star-Telegram Austin American-Statesman McAllen Monitor Spectrum News, Austin KXAN-TV, Austin:

Texas news organizations cover legislative efforts to strengthen Public Information Act2017-01-05T15:41:22-06:00

Open Government Champions: Hunter’s commitment to First Amendment, open government runs deep

2016-12-29T15:49:07-06:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of opinion pieces on legislators and other Texans who are openly committed to sustaining government transparency and accountability. The articles are being prepared and distributed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association. By Dave Montgomery After 15 years in the Texas Legislature, Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi has distinguished himself as a relentless defender of press freedoms and government transparency, reflecting a passion rooted deep in his heritage. The son of a journalist, Hunter grew up in a family he says was “very strong on [...]

Open Government Champions: Hunter’s commitment to First Amendment, open government runs deep2016-12-29T15:49:07-06:00

Former Smith County judge to pay fine in Open Meetings Act violation

2016-12-13T17:54:17-06:00

By Cody Lillich KLTV Originally published Dec. 12, 2016 Former East Texas County judge Joel Baker entered a no contest plea deal Monday on one of the three charges brought against him. Two of the other counts were dismissed per the deal. Baker must pay a $200 fine as a part of the agreement. The trial for the former Smith County judge ended before it even began Monday in a Smith County courtroom. The three charges stem from a now-suspended contract with American Traffic Solutions to deploy speed monitoring cameras in county school zones. According to the indictment, the grand jury [...]

Former Smith County judge to pay fine in Open Meetings Act violation2016-12-13T17:54:17-06:00

Texas Monthly: Texas has a transparency problem

2016-12-08T13:03:06-06:00

By Leif Reigstad Texas Monthly Originally published Dec. 5, 2016 Texas received a grade of D- in the Center for Public Integrity‘s state rankings for accountability and transparency last November, including an F in the “public access to information” category. And the Lone Star State certainly didn’t do anything to improve its performance in 2016. This year state agencies have blocked public access to information regarding everything from small oddities to some of the most serious issues Texans have faced in 2016. The implications of such secrecy should resonate with all Texans: government agencies and their spokespeople sometimes don’t tell the public the entire truth (they are, after all, human), and [...]

Texas Monthly: Texas has a transparency problem2016-12-08T13:03:06-06:00

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