PIA

Open records bill would have prevented Rio Grande City from exploiting loophole

FOIFT2021-11-30T16:12:39-06:00

By Valerie Gonzalez The Monitor Originally published Nov. 27, 2021 An open government advocate said this week that if Texas legislators are one day successful in closing a loophole in the state’s public information act, municipalities such as Rio Grande City would no longer be able to work around certain requirements — such as responding to requests. The handling of a recent request for public information from Rio Grande City became the latest example of such a loophole in the Texas Public Information Act. Read the full story here.

Open records bill would have prevented Rio Grande City from exploiting loopholeFOIFT2021-11-30T16:12:39-06:00

Texas open government advocates notch legislative wins but want more

FOIFT2021-11-12T15:49:42-06:00

By Daniel Van Oudenaren The Austin Bulldog Originally published Nov. 10, 2021 Advocates who pushed for changes to Texas’s public information laws at the legislature this year are celebrating a handful of wins but fell short on some of their agenda. Two new transparency laws took effect September 1st, the fruit of a bipartisan effort: Senate Bill 930 by state Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), which ensures that families of nursing home residents have access to information about outbreaks of communicable diseases within the facilities; and Senate Bill 1225 by Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), which tightens the catastrophe exception in Texas Public [...]

Texas open government advocates notch legislative wins but want moreFOIFT2021-11-12T15:49:42-06:00

Supplying information swiftly – not delaying it – is government’s duty

FOIFT2022-04-13T14:59:27-05:00

By Kelley Shannon If you work in government, here’s something to remember: You work for the people. It’s your job to ensure citizens can interact with their government and have the information they need to hold it accountable. That includes handing over public records when someone requests them. In Texas, government documents are presumed to be open to everyone and can only be withheld under specific confidentiality exemptions in the state’s Public Information Act. Many government employees understand this quite well. Some relish helping records requestors. Unfortunately, though, Texas is experiencing a wave of blocked or delayed access to public information. One [...]

Supplying information swiftly – not delaying it – is government’s dutyFOIFT2022-04-13T14:59:27-05:00

Legislative Update: 2021 session

FOIFT2022-04-13T14:38:39-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers approved two key transparency measures this session to ensure greater access to public records after some governments closed off information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Greg Abbott signed both bills in the final days of the legislative session. The laws take effect Sept. 1. Senate Bill 930 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, guarantees the public’s right to know about coronavirus and other communicable disease outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living centers. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, co-authored the legislation, and Reps. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, and Toni Rose, D-Dallas, co-sponsored the bill in the House [...]

Legislative Update: 2021 sessionFOIFT2022-04-13T14:38:39-05:00

In pandemic era, Texans’ access to public information at risk

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:19-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Bold steps nearly 50 years ago created a landmark protection for the people’s right to know in Texas. Lawmakers approved the state’s open records law, now known as the Texas Public Information Act. Born out of a political financial scandal, the act’s aim was to allow citizens to hold public officials accountable. For the most part, this Texas transparency law has served us well. It’s essential in many Texans’ routine interactions with their government as they request police reports and school budget documents and so much more. It has been used to expose government action – or inaction [...]

In pandemic era, Texans’ access to public information at riskFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:19-05:00

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