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Judge dismisses UT regent Hall’s suit seeking access to admissions records

2015-12-16T01:12:58-06:00

By Matthew Watkins The Texas Tribune Originally published Dec. 15, 2015 A state district judge on Tuesday threw out a lawsuit by University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall that sought to force the system to turn over records related to an admissions scandal. Soon after, Hall's lawyer declared that his client is appealing, meaning the case is far from over. In a one-page order, Judge Scott Jenkins of Travis County dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Hall is barred from filing another suit on the matter. Jenkins gave no written explanation for his ruling. Hall's attorney, Joseph Knight, was undeterred, [...]

Judge dismisses UT regent Hall’s suit seeking access to admissions records2015-12-16T01:12:58-06:00

HCC board hired lawyer without vote

2015-12-15T14:05:53-06:00

By Benjamin Wermund Houston Chronicle Originally published Dec. 14, 2015 As conflict roiled the upper reaches of Houston Community College early last year, the institution's board chairman, Neeta Sane, told her fellow trustees during a closed-door session that they needed to hire an outside lawyer to negotiate a contract for an incoming chancellor. The attorney, Vidal Martinez, would come to do much more and earn a total of $200,463 in legal fees working both for the board and, later, HCC's administration - though no vote or discussion of Sane's decision to hire him ever took place in public. In addition to [...]

HCC board hired lawyer without vote2015-12-15T14:05:53-06:00

Judge to rule on Wallace Hall’s suit for documents next week

2015-12-11T15:12:52-06:00

By Bobby Blanchard The Dallas Morning News Originally published Dec. 10, 2015 AUSTIN — The judge presiding over UT Regent Wallace Hall’s lawsuit said in court on Thursday he would issue a ruling next week on whether University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall has the right to records he requested from the system months ago. Hall wants records underlying an independent report that found several dozen underqualified students were admitted to UT-Austin with the help of connections from big named donors, lawmakers and other powerful figures. Chancellor William McRaven and the UT System was willing to give Hall the records [...]

Judge to rule on Wallace Hall’s suit for documents next week2015-12-11T15:12:52-06:00

LCRA fights release of data on new reservoir

2015-12-07T14:20:08-06:00

By Kiah Collier The Texas Tribune Originally published Dec. 5, 2015 The Lower Colorado River Authority says a $255 million reservoir it is building in southeast Texas won't reduce freshwater flows into Matagorda Bay enough to hurt aquatic life, but the organization is refusing to release the hydrological modeling that led to it that conclusion. The authority — the largest water and power supplier in Central Texas — has told the Matagorda Bay Foundation it can't have the information and asked state Attorney General Ken Paxton for an opinion shielding the data from the state's open records laws. If Paxton agrees, [...]

LCRA fights release of data on new reservoir2015-12-07T14:20:08-06:00

Protect free speech, open government in Texas by donating today

2015-12-01T16:46:34-06:00

Today is Giving Tuesday, a special day for giving back to your community by contributing to non-profits that work for the public good. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is one of these organizations. Please consider contributing today to protect First Amendment rights and open government. The FOI Foundation of Texas was formed in 1978 and has worked continuously for the public's right to know. Funding for our 501(c)(3) comes from grants and contributions by companies and individuals. Any level of giving is appreciated. Contributions are tax-deductible. For more information visit our website's Donation page. Thanks to everyone who takes [...]

Protect free speech, open government in Texas by donating today2015-12-01T16:46:34-06:00
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