PIA

Texas journalists battle for media access

FOIFT2014-09-29T14:01:49-05:00

By Lena Williams Right to Report Originally published Sept. 24 A year ago, the Texas Legislature amended the state’s Public Information Act to give citizens and journalists greater access to public records and the discussions of public officials. Gov. Rick Perry signed it into law, but did he mean it? Officials across Texas are circumventing some of the key provisions of the state’s 41-year-old Public Information Act, considered by many First Amendment advocates to be one of the strongest in the country. Requests that have been refused in recent months include access to Perry’s travel records, as well as certain court [...]

Texas journalists battle for media accessFOIFT2014-09-29T14:01:49-05:00

KRIS-TV reports on Del Mar College’s $26 million charge for public records

FOIFT2014-09-25T19:13:27-05:00

Reporter Rick Spruill of KRIS-TV investigates the fallout over a $26 million fee quoted by Del Mar College to turn over public information. Open government experts wonder whether Del Mar is unlawful or just incompetent. View the story here: http://www.kristv.com/news/6-investigates-del-mar-college-public-information-fallout/

KRIS-TV reports on Del Mar College’s $26 million charge for public recordsFOIFT2014-09-25T19:13:27-05:00

Open records request shows Texas football team drug testing rate doubled under Charlie Strong

FOIFT2014-09-25T18:55:56-05:00

By Brian Davis Austin American-Statesman Originally published Sept. 24, 2014 The number of drug tests administered to University of Texas football players has skyrocketed under first-year coach Charlie Strong, according to university data obtained by the American-Statesman through an open records request. According to university records, an average of 104 tests were administered annually to football players from 2010 to 2013, the last four years under former coach Mack Brown. A total of 188 tests were administered the first eight months this year under Strong. At an annualized rate, that’s more than double the previous four years. Subscribers to the American-Statesman can [...]

Open records request shows Texas football team drug testing rate doubled under Charlie StrongFOIFT2014-09-25T18:55:56-05:00

Legal contracts, details of Perry’s representation, now secret

FOIFT2014-09-10T15:41:45-05:00

By Angela Morris Texas Lawyer Originally published Sept. 9, 2014 When Gov. Rick Perry, facing two felony charges, chose to pay his lawyers from his campaign account instead of using state funds, the move eased the burden on taxpayers but also drew a veil of secrecy across details of Perry's representation. Using the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Lawyer asked the Office of the Governor for legal contracts and payment amounts for five lawyers that Perry hired immediately following his indictment. The office only released the contracts for criminal defense lawyer David Botsford, who received $79,550 in June, and Baker Botts [...]

Legal contracts, details of Perry’s representation, now secretFOIFT2014-09-10T15:41:45-05:00

First Amendment rights, open government essential to democracy

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:45-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Sept. 4, 2014 Defending the U.S. Constitution is popular these days, when it centers on gun rights, states’ rights or search and seizure protections. As we guard the principles of our nation’s founders, let’s not overlook the all-important First Amendment of the Constitution and its guarantee of free speech and free press, which, along with public access to government information, are crucial to our democracy. The non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has been fighting for these First Amendment liberties and the doctrine of open government since the foundation [...]

First Amendment rights, open government essential to democracyFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:45-05:00

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