PIA

Texas Supreme Court ruling helps bar the door to public release of company records

2016-05-04T13:51:30-05:00

By Dug Begley Houston Chronicle Originally published May 3, 2016 A Texas Supreme Court decision last year that one open records advocate said "blew a hole in the Texas Public Information Act" has been used in the past few months to shield records ranging from Uber's driver information in Houston to how much singer Enrique Iglesias was paid for a McAllen Christmas concert. The 7-1 decision, in the Boeing v. Paxton case, was issued on June 19. In it, the justices decided businesses can assert in Texas that information they turn over to a government agency that could give competitors an [...]

Texas Supreme Court ruling helps bar the door to public release of company records2016-05-04T13:51:30-05:00

Open Government Seminar to be held May 3 in Conroe

2016-04-28T20:21:00-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host an Open Government Seminar in Conroe, north of Houston, on Tuesday, May 3, featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, will offer the one-day seminar designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and members of the general public who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. Register by clicking here or on the Activities and Programs section of the FOI Foundation website. The event begins at 9 a.m. with the [...]

Open Government Seminar to be held May 3 in Conroe2016-04-28T20:21:00-05:00

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

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