Texas Legislature

New Texas court access system raises old information demons

2017-09-20T19:49:45-05:00

By Kelsey Jukam Courthouse News Service Originally published Sept. 15, 2017 AUSTIN - The checkerboard of public access in Texas courts was the focus of a conference on freedom of information earlier this week that included a bureau chief, a local clerk, a legislator and a state high court clerk. In the face of political headwinds from elected court clerks, who see a goldmine in the records, the Texas Supreme Court clerk is now moving to unify public access throughout the Texas courts. A key part of the campaign is the engagement by the high court’s Office of Court Administration of a Plano-based tech [...]

New Texas court access system raises old information demons2017-09-20T19:49:45-05:00

Sen. Watson, Rep. Capriglione receive FOI Lawmaker of the Year awards

2017-09-15T14:50:54-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has honored Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake with its Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award. The award is presented periodically to legislators who ardently defend First Amendment principles and work to expand open government. Watson and Capriglione received the honor Thursday at the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference in Austin. Capriglione said the First Amendment is what all office holders are sworn to uphold and that he was accepting the ward not just for the work he has done but for "what we're about to do" [...]

Sen. Watson, Rep. Capriglione receive FOI Lawmaker of the Year awards2017-09-15T14:50:54-05:00

Transparency in government leads to real news

2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Whether depending on our government for storm recovery, good schools, police protection or other important services, openness and access to information are essential to ensuring the job gets done. A free flow of information helps citizens keep watch on their government. It also allows journalists to report on matters of widespread interest by scrutinizing public records and meetings and, just as importantly, asking necessary, tough questions of government officials. In short, transparency leads to real news.  It leads to the truth. Legitimate news organizations uncover what has actually happened – and even [...]

Transparency in government leads to real news2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?

2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

By Alex Samuels The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 25, 2017 Hey, Texplainer: what social media information is subject to state open records laws? Is there anything off limits when it comes to what citizens can request to see? All social media is subject to state freedom of information laws, but whether you get the information you’ve requested depends on whether the communication is considered official business of a governmental body. According to Joe Larsen, counsel for Sedgwick Law in Houston, official business is any matter over which a governmental body has any authority. “It doesn’t really matter what medium it’s [...]

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts

2017-08-14T18:41:09-05:00

By Olivia Krauth Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 13, 2017 In June, the American-Statesman sent public records requests to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, among other Austin- and Texas-based politicians, asking for lists of whom they block from following their public, taxpayer-funded Twitter accounts. The governor, citing public safety concerns, said, no. His fear: Russian hackers. Lawyers for each office said they are asking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to rule that the information is exempt from required public disclosure. Both argue that divulging the names of the blocked accounts constitute “a computer network vulnerability report.” Abbott and [...]

Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts2017-08-14T18:41:09-05:00

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