PIA

Texas high court carves “monstrous loophole” for government secrets

FOIFT2016-08-08T14:54:29-05:00

By Jim Malewitz The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 5, 2016 Thanks to the Texas Supreme Court, McAllen taxpayers cannot find out how much their city paid Enrique Iglesias to belt out his Latin pop lyrics at a holiday parade. And Houston cannot release, among other information, how many driver permits it has issued to ride-hailing giant Uber. A Kaufman County school district’s food service deal? Much of that is now secret, as are details of a Texas Department of Insurance contract for interpretation services. Those are a few instances among many over the past year in which Texas Attorney General [...]

Texas high court carves “monstrous loophole” for government secretsFOIFT2016-08-08T14:54:29-05:00

Court rulings taking a toll on Texas public records access

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:38-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Those of us who keep a close eye on Texas’ evolving open government laws watch the state Legislature for signs of change. We also look at how local and state government agencies carry out these laws to see if they are working. But we must focus on the courts, too. Troubling rulings by the Texas Supreme Court and lower courts are watering down our Texas Public Information Act, long considered one of the strongest in the nation. The momentous law, which originated as the Texas Open Records Act in the early 1970s amid citizen frustration after the Sharpstown [...]

Court rulings taking a toll on Texas public records accessFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:38-05:00

Open Government Champions: Clardy presses for public’s right to know

FOIFT2016-07-19T20:21:24-05:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of opinion pieces on legislators and other Texans who are openly committed to sustaining government transparency and accountability. The articles are being prepared and distributed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association. By GARY BORDERS State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, in his two terms in the Legislature has proven to be a strong proponent for transparency in government. “We live in a free society,” he said. “The people’s trust in government and their institutions is relative to how directly they know what is going on.” Clardy [...]

Open Government Champions: Clardy presses for public’s right to knowFOIFT2016-07-19T20:21:24-05:00

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State Fair

FOIFT2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Editorial The Dallas Morning News Originally published July 15, 2016 When the Dallas Park and Recreation Board next meets to discuss Mayor Mike Rawlings’ plan to turn over management of Fair Park to the new Fair Park Texas Foundation, the public will be invited. The notes and records that come out of the meeting will be preserved and made available if requested. And when the board finally votes, probably next month, residents who will have to live with the decision will be invited to watch. That's the beauty of Texas' imperfect but absolutely vital open-government laws. That openness should not disappear [...]

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State FairFOIFT2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Houston Mayor Turner uses search firm to keep police chief candidates from public view

FOIFT2016-06-01T13:28:59-05:00

By James Pinkerton Houston Chronicle Originally published May 31, 2016 Mayor Sylvester Turner has chosen to select Houston's next police chief through a private executive search firm, taking the position that the applications and résumés of job candidates do not have to be made available through the Texas Public Information Act. The process stands in stark contrast to that used by his predecessor, Annise Parker, who in 2010 released the applications of 26 candidates for police chief in response to a records request. "I am not going to conduct this process in the media," Turner said via email Friday. "I didn't [...]

Houston Mayor Turner uses search firm to keep police chief candidates from public viewFOIFT2016-06-01T13:28:59-05:00

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