Texas Legislature

Texas didn’t violate First Amendment when it denied film grant, court rules

FOIFT2016-01-04T15:41:54-06:00

By John Council Texas Lawyer Originally published Dec. 31, 2015 Texas officials did not forbid the producers of a B-grade action movie from filming inside the Lone Star State but "merely opted not to subsidize the film with Texas taxpayer funds," according to Judge Catharina Haynes. In a ruling certain to disappoint those who want to film B-grade action movies in Texas on the cheap, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that the producers of "Machete Kills" don't have a First Amendment right to an incentive grant from the Texas Film Commission. The background to the [...]

Texas didn’t violate First Amendment when it denied film grant, court rulesFOIFT2016-01-04T15:41:54-06:00

State Integrity Investigation gives Texas an F in public information access

FOIFT2015-11-09T16:09:27-06:00

The latest State Integrity Investigation conducted by the non-profit Center for Public Integrity gives Texas a D- overall and an F in public access to information. Veteran Texas journalist David Montgomery conducted the study for our state. Read the news story and see the rankings on the CPI or Texas Tribune websites.

State Integrity Investigation gives Texas an F in public information accessFOIFT2015-11-09T16:09:27-06:00

Speaker Straus’ interim charges address transparency, access to information

FOIFT2015-11-04T21:53:40-06:00

AUSTIN - Texas House Speaker Joe Straus issued interim charges Wednesday for issues lawmakers will study before the 2017 legislative session, and several address government transparency and public information. Legislators will examine the transparency of state purchasing; public information held outside of control of a governmental body; repetitious requests made under the Texas Public Information Act; and dissemination of criminal records containing inaccurate or incomplete information. Among other items related to public information are a study of police body camera best policies and practices and a look at whether provisions in a body camera law passed this year need to be [...]

Speaker Straus’ interim charges address transparency, access to informationFOIFT2015-11-04T21:53:40-06:00

UT System board rebukes regent Wallace Hall over recent public comments

FOIFT2015-11-02T16:39:34-06:00

By Matthew Watkins The Texas Tribune Originally published Oct. 30, 2015 Frustrated with his recent public comments, the University of Texas System Board of Regents has again rebuked outspoken member Wallace Hall. In a special meeting Friday, the board voted to "express disagreement and disapproval" of recent statements by Hall, saying Hall doesn't speak for the board and that the continued public fighting needs to stop. "I cannot remain silent when Mr. Hall engages in constant criticisms and accusations," said board Chairman Paul Foster. Hall has clashed with leadership at the UT System and UT-Austin for years. Critics accused him of [...]

UT System board rebukes regent Wallace Hall over recent public commentsFOIFT2015-11-02T16:39:34-06:00

Former Senator Don Adams to receive FOI Foundation’s James Madison Award

FOIFT2015-08-04T16:30:19-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 4, 2015 AUSTIN – Former Senator Don Adams, who has worked for decades to protect the public’s right to know, is the recipient of the 2015 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award goes to those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented Sept. 17 during the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon at the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin. “Senator Don Adams’ steadfast support of and tireless advocacy for open government and First [...]

Former Senator Don Adams to receive FOI Foundation’s James Madison AwardFOIFT2015-08-04T16:30:19-05:00

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News