Texas Legislature

Abbott wields heavy veto pen; Public Information Act bill among those rejected

2017-06-16T15:16:30-05:00

By Mike Ward and Peggy Fikac San Antonio Express-News Originally published June 15, 2017 AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott’s veto total for the year hit 50 on Thursday as his staff announced a final round of vetoes of bills approved during the recently completed legislative session, including five bills by state Rep. Lyle Larson. The governor even vetoed a bill that Larson had amended. “I think it’s a lack of maturity. They can’t separate policy and politics,” Larson, R-San Antonio, said Thursday. Larson said he believed the vetoes were retribution because he had pushed a measure that would have prevented a [...]

Abbott wields heavy veto pen; Public Information Act bill among those rejected2017-06-16T15:16:30-05:00

Legislative Update: 2017 session

2022-04-13T14:39:06-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Major open government proposals to enhance the public’s right to know failed to pass the Texas Legislature this year in a disappointing anti-transparency display during the final days of the session. Fortunately, open government advocates worked to block several bills that could have hindered the free flow of information. And, under resolutions approved by the House and Senate, lawmakers will study ways to improve the Texas Public Information Act before the 2019 session. The non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas joined the Texas Press Association, the Texas Association of Broadcasters and other groups and lawmakers [...]

Legislative Update: 2017 session2022-04-13T14:39:06-05:00

Shifting more state functions to non-profits raises transparency questions

2017-05-24T17:27:09-05:00

By Mike Ward Houston Chronicle Originally published May 23, 2017 AUSTIN - In February, when Land Commissioner George P. Bush testified before a Texas House subcommittee about the details of a private nonprofit organization's management of the treasured Alamo, he assured lawmakers and the public that their business would comply with transparency laws that allow the public to know what's going on. Weeks later, though, his own agency declined to make public meeting minutes and other operational details about the Alamo Endowment and the Alamo Complex Management Company. The reason: "The Endowment and the ACM are GLO contractors, not governmental entities," [...]

Shifting more state functions to non-profits raises transparency questions2017-05-24T17:27:09-05:00

Texas Senate gambit to restore ailing public records law fails as House rejects amendments

2017-05-18T23:40:58-05:00

By J. David McSwane The Dallas Morning News Originally published May 18, 2017 AUSTIN – Hopes of strengthening the Texas public records law, weakened in recent years by court rulings and attorney general opinions, were dashed Thursday as Republican House Speaker Joe Straus rejected a Senate maneuver to salvage bills that were dying in his chamber. Last week, the Senate approved a half dozen amendments to a somewhat related House bill – including a measure to restore ordinary citizens' right to access contracts between businesses and their government – and sent back a very different bill to the House. Straus determined those amendments, authored by Sen. [...]

Texas Senate gambit to restore ailing public records law fails as House rejects amendments2017-05-18T23:40:58-05:00

Texas House members have chance to save open government

2022-03-31T17:08:35-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Keeping our Texas Public Information Act operating effectively takes effort. That’s why open government advocates have worked with public officials and businesses over the past year to fine tune the landmark state law. Transparency legislation resulting from these work sessions emerged out of frank discussions – and with an understanding that some compromise is necessary. Now, state lawmakers have the opportunity to pass multiple negotiated open government measures to improve the Public Information Act and restore its strength, for the benefit of all Texans. The Texas Senate took a stand Thursday by [...]

Texas House members have chance to save open government2022-03-31T17:08:35-05:00

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