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Open Government Champions: Clardy presses for public’s right to know

2016-07-19T20:21:24-05:00

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 GARY BORDERS State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, in his two terms in the Legislature has proven to be a strong proponent for transparency in government. “We live in a free society,” he said. “The people’s trust in government and their institutions is relative to how directly they know what is going on.” Clardy [...]

Open Government Champions: Clardy presses for public’s right to know2016-07-19T20:21:24-05:00

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State Fair

2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Editorial The Dallas Morning News Originally published July 15, 2016 When the Dallas Park and Recreation Board next meets to discuss Mayor Mike Rawlings’ plan to turn over management of Fair Park to the new Fair Park Texas Foundation, the public will be invited. The notes and records that come out of the meeting will be preserved and made available if requested. And when the board finally votes, probably next month, residents who will have to live with the decision will be invited to watch. That's the beauty of Texas' imperfect but absolutely vital open-government laws. That openness should not disappear [...]

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State Fair2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

July Fourth marks 50th anniversary of Freedom of Information Act

2016-07-01T15:17:13-05:00

Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into the law the landmark federal Freedom of Information Act on the Fourth of July. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed an update to the law, adding new transparency measures. A reluctant Johnson signed the original legislation July 4, 1966, without fanfare. News Industry leaders and members of both parties in Congress had pressed for the law, which took effect in 1967. Johnson's  signing statement distributed to news reporters in San Antonio who were covering the president during a Texas trip shows toned down commentary by Johnson about the law, according to the [...]

July Fourth marks 50th anniversary of Freedom of Information Act2016-07-01T15:17:13-05:00

Obama signs law updating Freedom of Information Act

2016-07-01T15:11:46-05:00

By Darlene Superville Associated Press Published June 30, 2016, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday measures to give the public greater access to government documents and records under the nearly half-century-old Freedom of Information Act. The new law will require federal agencies to consider releasing records under a "presumption of openness" standard, instead of presuming that the information is secret. Supporters say the shift will make it harder for agencies to withhold information. The law also cuts the number of exemptions agencies may use to block the release of requested information. A website will [...]

Obama signs law updating Freedom of Information Act2016-07-01T15:11:46-05:00

Montgomery County officials indicted on Open Meetings Act charges

2016-06-27T22:37:20-05:00

By Jesse Mendoza Community Impact Newspaper Originally published June 25, 2016 Three members of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court were indicted on Texas Open Meetings Act violation charges related to negotiations regarding the county’s road bond election in November. County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark were indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury June 25 and have since been released on bond, Doyal’s attorney John Choate said. Political consultant Marc Davenport, who previously worked on campaigns for Doyal and Riley, was indicted as well, special prosecutor Chris Downey said. “Over the course [...]

Montgomery County officials indicted on Open Meetings Act charges2016-06-27T22:37:20-05:00

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