PIA

FOI Foundation state conference to be online event in 2020

2020-06-19T15:56:05-05:00

Because of continuing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference originally scheduled for Austin on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, will not take place in person. Instead, we will host online open government events this fall focusing on timely transparency issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, police accountability and more. Stay tuned for further details. We look forward to returning to an in-person conference in September 2021 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin. 

FOI Foundation state conference to be online event in 20202020-06-19T15:56:05-05:00

FOI Foundation of Texas joins more than 50 organizations in NFOIC-Brechner Center statement on police records transparency

2020-06-12T20:51:59-05:00

The National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information issued a statement on law enforcement transparency and accountability in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, and the following unrest and violence that erupted around the nation.  More than 50 organizations have signed on in support of the statement, which calls for states to enact reforms opening every aspect of the police misconduct oversight process to public scrutiny. The officer charged in the death of Mr. Floyd had 18 previous complaints filed against him. Read the full story here.

FOI Foundation of Texas joins more than 50 organizations in NFOIC-Brechner Center statement on police records transparency2020-06-12T20:51:59-05:00

Transparency amid pandemic: Is government using COVID-19 to withhold public information?

2020-06-05T17:31:19-05:00

By John C. MoritzAustin Bureau, USA Today NetworkOriginally published June 4, 2020 AUSTIN — Two influential state lawmakers say some state and local governments are using the coronavirus pandemic to undermine Texas' open meetings and open records laws and they are already gearing up to close loopholes when the Legislative session convenes in January. "You're either for open government, or you're not," state Rep. Todd Hunter said during an online seminar on government transparency organized Thursday by the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation and the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. "If you're in the business of creating speed bumps (to stop or delay the release of [...]

Transparency amid pandemic: Is government using COVID-19 to withhold public information?2020-06-05T17:31:19-05:00

After Statesman inquiry, lawsuit aims to keep Texas Teacher Retirement System’s lease under wraps

2020-05-18T14:19:25-05:00

By Bob SechlerAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published May 15, 2020 The Teacher Retirement System of Texas describes itself as committed to public transparency and says it’s no longer trying to prevent disclosure of the full terms of its multimillion-dollar office lease in the luxury Indeed Tower high-rise under construction in downtown Austin. But that hasn’t stopped a development company in which the taxpayer-funded retirement system has a big financial stake from continuing the state agency’s nearly yearlong legal effort to conceal the information following multiple American-Statesman requests for it. The company — TC Austin Block 71 LLC — has filed a lawsuit against [...]

After Statesman inquiry, lawsuit aims to keep Texas Teacher Retirement System’s lease under wraps2020-05-18T14:19:25-05:00
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