Texas Legislature

Texas Sunshine Coalition seeks greater transparency

FOIFT2019-01-10T00:25:48-06:00

By Ken MartinThe Austin BulldogOriginally published Jan. 7, 2019 During the 2019 legislative session, open government advocates have high hopes that this time they will be able to convince lawmakers to demolish the legal barriers created by court decisions that are preventing access to important public information. Among other things, these court decisions prevent finding out how taxpayers’ money is being spent. They also bar access to dates of birth needed, for example, to properly identify criminal suspects or allow lenders to perform the background checks needed for credit decisions. Another obstacle to be overcome through legislation is the refusal of [...]

Texas Sunshine Coalition seeks greater transparencyFOIFT2019-01-10T00:25:48-06:00

Austin police won’t release video, citing Public Information Act loophole used increasingly when suspect dies

FOIFT2019-01-04T14:21:57-06:00

By Josh Hinkle and Sarah RafiqueKXAN-TVOriginally published Jan. 3, 2019 The parents of a teenager who shot himself in a police patrol car have filed a federal lawsuit claiming Austin police have a pattern of performing incompetent and incomplete searches of detainees. Meanwhile, the Austin Police Department is refusing to release to the public patrol car video showing the officer's conversation with the teen. They are using a loophole in the Texas Public Information Act. The measure gives police discretion to deny the public access to details about a suspect who has not been convicted or received deferred adjudication - even [...]

Austin police won’t release video, citing Public Information Act loophole used increasingly when suspect diesFOIFT2019-01-04T14:21:57-06:00

Taxpayers needs to know how money is spent, say advocates for closing hole in Texas open records law

FOIFT2018-12-27T19:55:38-06:00

By Robert T. GarrettThe Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published Dec. 27, 2018 AUSTIN — Open government advocates in Texas say a 3½-year-old court decision, probably unintentionally, has blown a growing hole in the state's transparency about how taxpayers' money is spent. Conservative and liberal think tanks, government watchdogs, consumer groups and industries that depend on robust access to public records, such as newspapers and broadcasters, have formed the Texas Sunshine Coalition. They want the Legislature next year to dial back secrecy that a 2015 Texas Supreme Court decision encouraged, but the fight will be heated. Read the full story here.

Taxpayers needs to know how money is spent, say advocates for closing hole in Texas open records lawFOIFT2018-12-27T19:55:38-06:00

TribTalk: R.I.P, the Texas Public Information Act

FOIFT2018-12-07T15:42:39-06:00

By Joe Larsen Attorney Gregor Cassidy, PLLC Board Member, FOI Foundation of Texas Originally published Dec. 7, 2018, in the Texas Tribune The once-robust Texas Public Information Act lies bleeding. The Texas Supreme Court’s decision this year to deny a newspaper’s petition for review of the opinion of the 1st Court of Appeals in the case of Nehls v. Hartman Newspapers is the latest deep cut. Nehls effectively nullifies the provision of the PIA that says a court shall award attorneys’ fees to a requestor who substantially prevails against a governmental body in a lawsuit to require release of public information. [...]

TribTalk: R.I.P, the Texas Public Information ActFOIFT2018-12-07T15:42:39-06:00

Paris News Column: Time to fight for your information rights

FOIFT2018-12-04T14:31:49-06:00

By Klark Byrd The Paris News Originally published Dec. 2, 2018 Texas Sunshine Laws are bumming me out. Sunshine Laws protect the public’s right to access information generated by the government and the right to witness proceedings of government agencies, boards and committees. There’s usually two parts, a public information act and an open meetings act. Texas, like every other state in which I’ve practiced journalism, has both acts. Unfortunately, Texas’ Sunshine Laws do little to no good. Sources in my research tell me that wasn’t always the case. In fact, I’ve learned Texas’ protection of the public’s right to know [...]

Paris News Column: Time to fight for your information rightsFOIFT2018-12-04T14:31:49-06:00

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