PIA

County’s attorney wants limit on access to information without compensation

2016-04-25T16:53:49-05:00

By Cassie L. Smith Waco Tribune-Herald Originally published April 23, 2016 McLennan County’s attorney hopes leaders adopt a policy aimed at deterring “intentionally abusive” open records requests, while others say the move could be construed as having a chilling effect on access to public information. Attorney Mike Dixon, who represents McLennan County and its officeholders, said county staff is trying to process burdensome active requests before looking into a provision in the Texas Public Information Act that allows counties to charge high-volume requesters for staff time. “There’s an inherent flaw where government assumes that people are going to use the act [...]

County’s attorney wants limit on access to information without compensation2016-04-25T16:53:49-05:00

Travis County public records fight will head to court after phone plea, banquet invite fail

2016-04-22T15:25:33-05:00

By Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published April 19, 2016 Travis County will file a lawsuit to fight the release of information concerning its Workforce Development Re-Entry program after a phone call from County Judge Sarah Eckhardt failed to persuade a local activist to withdraw a public information request. Zenobia Joseph, a former teacher, sent the county a request in December seeking information on the county program, which helps find jobs for people with criminal records. She said she became interested after the county issued a proclamation in November praising 80 local employers willing to hire ex-offenders at wages of at [...]

Travis County public records fight will head to court after phone plea, banquet invite fail2016-04-22T15:25:33-05:00

Bryan councilman files complaint with AG over nearly $1,000 open records charge

2016-04-18T13:27:12-05:00

By CAITLIN CLARK The Eagle Originally published April 17, 2016 In his ongoing effort to learn how much the Traditions Club development has cost the city, Bryan city councilman Mike Southerland filed an open records request earlier this month asking for a spreadsheet of expenditures and revenues from multiple fund accounts related to the project. For staff to fill such a request, the city said, it would cost him $998. City officials estimate at least 40 hours of labor at $15 an hour, $228 in programming minutes, $165 in overhead charges and $5 for paper will be needed to complete the [...]

Bryan councilman files complaint with AG over nearly $1,000 open records charge2016-04-18T13:27:12-05:00

AG orders records released; Fort Worth school district settled with Chesapeake for $1million

2016-04-12T15:26:30-05:00

By Max Baker Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published April 11, 2016 FORT WORTH - The Fort Worth school district settled its lawsuit with Chesapeake Energy over natural gas royalties for $1 million, according to documents released Monday after the Texas attorney general decided that the information is public. The attorney general’s office ordered the district to release details of the out-of-court settlement despite efforts by Chesapeake to keep it private through a confidentiality agreement signed by both parties in December. The Star-Telegram, along with the city of Fort Worth, sought to have the settlement agreement, approved by the Fort Worth school [...]

AG orders records released; Fort Worth school district settled with Chesapeake for $1million2016-04-12T15:26:30-05:00

Court: Austin must ID private email addresses used for public business

2016-04-11T14:54:46-05:00

By Nolan Hicks Austin American-Statesman Originally published April 8, 2016 Public officials won’t be able to shield their personal email addresses from the public if they use the accounts for government business, a state appellate court ruled Friday. Government watchdogs hailed the decision as a win for government transparency and the state’s public records laws. The litigation stems from the “walking quorum” controversy that roiled Austin City Hall five years ago, involving accusations that City Council members violated the state’s transparency laws by conducting government business out of public view. None of the current City Council members were in office then. [...]

Court: Austin must ID private email addresses used for public business2016-04-11T14:54:46-05:00

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