Texas Legislature

Internal GLO draft audit slams unusual use of non-profits to manage Alamo

2018-02-09T15:17:03-06:00

By Jonathan Tilove Austin American-Statesman Originally published Feb. 8, 2018 On Dec. 5, the state Senate Finance Committee questioned Land Commissioner George P. Bush and the agency’s general counsel, Jeff Gordon, about the three nonprofits the General Land Office had set up to manage, promote and raise money for the Alamo — each with its own mission but with identical boards made up of Bush and 10 of the state’s most recognizable movers and shakers. What most vexed the senators was that Alamo Complex Management, the nonprofit responsible for day-to-day operations of the most iconic site in Texas, was entirely funded [...]

Internal GLO draft audit slams unusual use of non-profits to manage Alamo2018-02-09T15:17:03-06:00

Dallas Morning News editorial: Paxton’s misinformed spokesman turns Public Information Act against Texans over petty grudge

2018-02-06T05:15:47-06:00

The Dallas Morning News Editorial Originally published Feb. 2, 2018 At a conference put on last month by the attorney general's office to help train local and state officials on how to comply with the Texas Public Information Act, one of the experts providing advice was Marc Rylander. Rylander works for Attorney General Ken Paxton and in comments caught on video he managed to embarrass himself and his boss. Worse still, he undermined a reputation lawyers in that office have built over many years for evenhanded enforcement of the state's open meetings and open records laws, no matter who happens to [...]

Dallas Morning News editorial: Paxton’s misinformed spokesman turns Public Information Act against Texans over petty grudge2018-02-06T05:15:47-06:00

Texas senators examine free speech on college campuses

2018-02-01T15:12:28-06:00

By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz Austin American-Statesman Originally published Jan. 31, 2018 SAN MARCOS —Incidents of hecklers shouting down controversial figures on college campuses are anathema to free speech but pose a difficult challenge to overcome, a state Senate panel chairwoman said Wednesday.“No one should be shouted down,” said Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, whose State Affairs Committee held a hearing on campus free speech issues hosted by Texas State University. “We need to put an end to that. But you can’t legislate morality or civility — I get that.” The panel has been charged by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick with recommending “policy [...]

Texas senators examine free speech on college campuses2018-02-01T15:12:28-06:00

Alamo Trust to hold open meetings in wake of transparency concerns

2018-01-16T16:43:05-06:00

By Scott Huddleston San Antonio Express-News Originally published Jan. 15, 2018 A nonprofit board overseeing the Alamo’s day-to-day operations will open its meetings to the public this year. But one state senator says state officials and philanthropists in charge of the historic mission and battle site and a far-reaching plan to improve it should do more to provide a level of openness befitting the Texas shrine. “The public just has an inherent right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. And we’re now talking about the Alamo, which is a big deal,” said Sen. Kirk Watson, one of several [...]

Alamo Trust to hold open meetings in wake of transparency concerns2018-01-16T16:43:05-06:00

George P. Bush grilled on Alamo transparency

2017-12-06T15:59:22-06:00

By Scott Huddleston San Antonio Express-News Originally published Dec. 5, 2018 State legislators quizzed Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush about the Alamo and a long-range master plan, and asked him to look for ways to provide more transparency in the management of the historic mission and battle site. “We need to get it more simple, and clearer,” Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said at the conclusion of an hourlong exchange Tuesday between Bush and the Senate Finance Committee, which Nelson chairs. Committee members said they would like to see better access to meetings of the nonprofit contractors that run the [...]

George P. Bush grilled on Alamo transparency2017-12-06T15:59:22-06:00
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