PIA

Texas Sunshine Coalition seeks greater transparency

FOIFT2019-01-10T00:25:48-06:00

By Ken MartinThe Austin BulldogOriginally published Jan. 7, 2019 During the 2019 legislative session, open government advocates have high hopes that this time they will be able to convince lawmakers to demolish the legal barriers created by court decisions that are preventing access to important public information. Among other things, these court decisions prevent finding out how taxpayers’ money is being spent. They also bar access to dates of birth needed, for example, to properly identify criminal suspects or allow lenders to perform the background checks needed for credit decisions. Another obstacle to be overcome through legislation is the refusal of [...]

Texas Sunshine Coalition seeks greater transparencyFOIFT2019-01-10T00:25:48-06:00

Austin police won’t release video, citing Public Information Act loophole used increasingly when suspect dies

FOIFT2019-01-04T14:21:57-06:00

By Josh Hinkle and Sarah RafiqueKXAN-TVOriginally published Jan. 3, 2019 The parents of a teenager who shot himself in a police patrol car have filed a federal lawsuit claiming Austin police have a pattern of performing incompetent and incomplete searches of detainees. Meanwhile, the Austin Police Department is refusing to release to the public patrol car video showing the officer's conversation with the teen. They are using a loophole in the Texas Public Information Act. The measure gives police discretion to deny the public access to details about a suspect who has not been convicted or received deferred adjudication - even [...]

Austin police won’t release video, citing Public Information Act loophole used increasingly when suspect diesFOIFT2019-01-04T14:21:57-06:00

Taxpayers needs to know how money is spent, say advocates for closing hole in Texas open records law

FOIFT2018-12-27T19:55:38-06:00

By Robert T. GarrettThe Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published Dec. 27, 2018 AUSTIN — Open government advocates in Texas say a 3½-year-old court decision, probably unintentionally, has blown a growing hole in the state's transparency about how taxpayers' money is spent. Conservative and liberal think tanks, government watchdogs, consumer groups and industries that depend on robust access to public records, such as newspapers and broadcasters, have formed the Texas Sunshine Coalition. They want the Legislature next year to dial back secrecy that a 2015 Texas Supreme Court decision encouraged, but the fight will be heated. Read the full story here.

Taxpayers needs to know how money is spent, say advocates for closing hole in Texas open records lawFOIFT2018-12-27T19:55:38-06:00

Upshur County sheriff will send information request to AG’s office

FOIFT2018-12-19T03:24:06-06:00

By Glenn EvansLongview News-JournalOriginally published Dec. 17, 2018 The News-Journal filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office on Monday morning about Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb’s handling of a request for a high-profile offense report earlier this month. Late Monday afternoon, the newspaper received a certified letter, dated Dec. 12, from Webb saying he will send information in an assault complaint against District Clerk Karen Bunn to the Attorney General’s Office seeking verification that it can withhold part of the Nov. 14 offense report. The report, by courthouse maintenance crew member Ricky Freeman, accuses Bunn of assault on a public servant, a [...]

Upshur County sheriff will send information request to AG’s officeFOIFT2018-12-19T03:24:06-06:00

TribTalk: R.I.P, the Texas Public Information Act

FOIFT2018-12-07T15:42:39-06:00

By Joe Larsen Attorney Gregor Cassidy, PLLC Board Member, FOI Foundation of Texas Originally published Dec. 7, 2018, in the Texas Tribune The once-robust Texas Public Information Act lies bleeding. The Texas Supreme Court’s decision this year to deny a newspaper’s petition for review of the opinion of the 1st Court of Appeals in the case of Nehls v. Hartman Newspapers is the latest deep cut. Nehls effectively nullifies the provision of the PIA that says a court shall award attorneys’ fees to a requestor who substantially prevails against a governmental body in a lawsuit to require release of public information. [...]

TribTalk: R.I.P, the Texas Public Information ActFOIFT2018-12-07T15:42:39-06:00

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