PIA

Editorial: Abbott’s policy on public access to chemical information illogical

FOIFT2014-07-07T14:47:31-05:00

Austin American-Statesman Originally published July 6, 2014 When it comes to defending Texans’ right to know what their government is doing, state Attorney General Greg Abbott has been not just a watchdog, but a biting dog. During his political career, Abbott has demonstrated a commitment to government transparency second to no other current statewide elected official. In 2005, he was awarded the James Madison Award by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Abbott spoke these memorable words then: “Texas functions best when public officials recognize that government does not belong to them but to the people.” (To read the rest [...]

Editorial: Abbott’s policy on public access to chemical information illogicalFOIFT2014-07-07T14:47:31-05:00

Editorial: Kilgore College transparency threatened by records tactic

FOIFT2014-07-02T20:56:28-05:00

By Longview News-Journal Originally published July 2, 2014 Kilgore College’s practice of sending every open records request to its attorney for review is almost breathtaking — and not in a good way. In an era that’s seen almost every taxpayer-funded entity in the nation looking for ways to reduce spending, this is a conscious — and utterly unnecessary — decision to spend more. The attorney who benefits from billing, at $195 per hour, to review the requests must know his services are not needed for this task. If he doesn’t, it may be time for the college to find another attorney. [...]

Editorial: Kilgore College transparency threatened by records tacticFOIFT2014-07-02T20:56:28-05:00

Temple Daily Telegram, Alvin Sun receive Spirit of FOI Award

FOIFT2014-06-21T19:46:30-05:00

CORPUS CHRISTI _ Two Texas newspapers have received the annual Spirit of FOI Award for their extensive work using and examining the state’s open records laws. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association, was given Saturday to the Temple Daily Telegram among Class AA, or mid-sized newspapers, and to the Alvin Sun among Class A, or small, newspapers. There were no entries in the largest size category. The annual award honors journalists and news organizations for outstanding efforts that uphold First Amendment principles and promote freedom of [...]

Temple Daily Telegram, Alvin Sun receive Spirit of FOI AwardFOIFT2014-06-21T19:46:30-05:00

Hazardous chemical lists no longer public record in Texas

FOIFT2014-06-13T17:28:21-05:00

By Brett Shipp WFAA.com Originally published June 12, 2014 DALLAS -- For the past 30 years, federal law has required chemical makers and handlers to disclose what's stored on premises. It's called the Community Right To Know Act, and it has been at the core of the safety conversation since last year's deadly fertilizer explosion in West, Texas. But News 8 has learned that in the past few weeks, state health officials have stopped making those hazardous chemical records public. On May 29, emergency responders in Athens, Texas, were faced with a potential disaster. An old storage building filled with explosive [...]

Hazardous chemical lists no longer public record in TexasFOIFT2014-06-13T17:28:21-05:00

Commentary: Know Texas’ open records laws

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:47-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Guest Columnist The Monitor Originally published June 9, 2014 Picture yourself attending a local government meeting because you’re curious about the hiring of a new city manager. Suddenly, city commissioners go into a closed-door session to talk secretly. Can they do that? Is it legal? Or, let’s say, you’ve requested information from your school district about its classroom curriculum. You are told obtaining those documents will cost hundreds of dollars. What can you do? Conversely, if you are a public official, what does the law allow you to charge for a large and time-consuming public records request? These [...]

Commentary: Know Texas’ open records lawsFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:47-05:00

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