Texas Legislature

Rep. Todd Hunter, FOIFT leaders talk open government with journalists at Sunshine Week briefing

FOIFT2015-03-18T22:37:29-05:00

Journalists met with leaders of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, for a Sunshine Week briefing Wednesday on open government legislation pending at the state Capitol. "There's nothing wrong with providing public information," Hunter said, urging news reporters to educate their audience on "the positiveness and the common sense of these laws." Also speaking at the briefing at the Austin American-Statesman were FOI Foundation of Texas legislative co-chairs Laura Prather and Arif Panju. The foundation is tracking scores of bills this session that would improve public access to government information or, in some cases, [...]

Rep. Todd Hunter, FOIFT leaders talk open government with journalists at Sunshine Week briefingFOIFT2015-03-18T22:37:29-05:00

Sunshine Week: Legislative spotlight on private email accounts, police records, news reporting

FOIFT2015-03-16T13:49:20-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Private university police beat a man suspected of stealing a bicycle. The violent episode was captured on a dash camera, but when questions arose the police refused to release the complete video. City officials used their personal email accounts to discuss government business, just as Hillary Clinton did as secretary of state. When a citizen sought the local records, which are public under Texas law, city employees claimed their power was limited because they didn’t have custody of the documents. As matters of widespread public concern come to light – [...]

Sunshine Week: Legislative spotlight on private email accounts, police records, news reportingFOIFT2015-03-16T13:49:20-05:00

Public, media, staff barred from Texas Senate committee meeting

FOIFT2015-03-05T21:49:23-06:00

By Mike Ward Houston Chronicle Originally published March 4, 2015 AUSTIN – When the Senate Education Committee convened on the Senate floor Wednesday, just minutes after the day's session recessed, senators quickly discussed and passed a bill doing something about high school graduations. Even though the meeting involved public business, their discussions were not. The reason: A new Senate rule, sergeants-at-arms insisted as they ordered staff and reporters to outside of a brass rail several feet away where the proceedings were mostly inaudible. Even though the meeting officially was listed as a "public hearing." Afterward, Committee Chairman Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, said he [...]

Public, media, staff barred from Texas Senate committee meetingFOIFT2015-03-05T21:49:23-06:00

Victoria Advocate: Bill would close loophole in obtaining information from private accounts

FOIFT2015-03-04T15:41:09-06:00

By the Editorial Board Victoria Advocate Originally published March 4, 2015 Government is the servant, not the master of the people. This very principle, the first words of the Texas Public Information Act, is the fundamental philosophy of our constitutional form of representative government. All too often, elected officials skirt the law by conducting the public's business away from watchful eyes. With ever-evolving technology, a smart phone in every pocket, and some governmental bodies issuing portable tablets and other Internet-ready devices, it's easier than ever for officials to hide what should belong to the public. The Victoria Advocate experienced it first-hand [...]

Victoria Advocate: Bill would close loophole in obtaining information from private accountsFOIFT2015-03-04T15:41:09-06:00

Journalists, FOI advocates urge passage of third party allegation law

FOIFT2015-03-03T04:37:39-06:00

AUSTIN - Advocates for watchdog reporting testified Monday in favor of a Senate bill that provides limited protections for news accounts about potential wrongdoing that are based on third party allegations. Senate Bill 627 would codify what has been part of common law since 1990, said Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, as she introduced her bill before the Senate State Affairs Committee, which she chairs. Laura Prather, a First Amendment attorney and co-chair of the FOI Foundation of Texas legislative committee, testified that libel law is currently unsettled in this area because of a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling. News reporters covering [...]

Journalists, FOI advocates urge passage of third party allegation lawFOIFT2015-03-03T04:37:39-06:00

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