PIA

Transportation agency tries to keep public comments about highway expansion secret from the public

FOIFT2026-04-27T10:18:20-05:00

By Andrew Wheat and Shelby Ligon Austin Free Press Originally published April 24, 2026 Public comments on plans to widen Austin’s MoPac Expressway should not be publicly released, according to the local highway entity promoting that road expansion. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority argues that, for now, the public comments are “confidential by law” and fall under protected, deliberative “interagency” communications — a stance that public information experts say pushes government secrecy to Orwellian extremes by keeping the public’s own input out of public view. -- Two Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board members, John Bridges and Joe Larsen, [...]

Transportation agency tries to keep public comments about highway expansion secret from the publicFOIFT2026-04-27T10:18:20-05:00

Sunshine Week Column: An eye on government can track taxpayer money, expose wrongdoing

FOIFT2026-03-16T14:44:01-05:00

By Kelley Shannon As we watch over our government, it’s often about the money. Are taxpayer dollars being spent wisely on social programs, road projects and employee pay? Can we view government contracts with outside organizations? What are the details of bond proposals on the election ballot? Long-established state open government laws – the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act – help us answer these questions and root out malfeasance. As we celebrate national Sunshine Week March 15-21 let’s recognize our transparency laws and learn how to keep them strong. Beyond detecting financial waste and fraud, journalists [...]

Sunshine Week Column: An eye on government can track taxpayer money, expose wrongdoingFOIFT2026-03-16T14:44:01-05:00

Texas Talks podcast features FOI Foundation’s educational outreach, advocacy

FOIFT2025-11-06T12:54:40-06:00

The Texas Talks podcast hosted by Brad Swail and the Lone Star Standard recently featured Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas executive director Kelley Shannon to discuss the foundation's open government outreach and advocacy. You can listen to the 30-minute podcast on Spotify, Apple, X/Twitter or YouTube.

Texas Talks podcast features FOI Foundation’s educational outreach, advocacyFOIFT2025-11-06T12:54:40-06:00

FOIFT Conference 2025 Videos

FOIFT2025-10-02T09:36:38-05:00

The FOI Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 26 featured a lineup of impactful speakers and discussions addressing a range of open government and free speech topics. Thanks to all the conference participants, planners and attendees. Video recordings of each panel session and the luncheon speeches are now available on our website at https://foift.org/about/video/

FOIFT Conference 2025 VideosFOIFT2025-10-02T09:36:38-05:00

Attorney and former county judge Bill Aleshire to receive James Madison Award

FOIFT2025-09-03T16:39:27-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 3, 2025 AUSTIN – Bill Aleshire, an attorney devoted to protecting the public’s access to government information, will receive the prestigious James Madison Award for his decades-long commitment to upholding Texas’ open meetings and open records laws. Aleshire, who initially made his mark in government transparency as a public official and served as Travis County judge, more recently has worked as a zealous attorney ensuring government compliance with the state’s Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the James Madison Award for dedication to the principles of the First [...]

Attorney and former county judge Bill Aleshire to receive James Madison AwardFOIFT2025-09-03T16:39:27-05:00

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