Texas Legislature

First of the Texas Sunshine Coalition bills gets hearing at Capitol

FOIFT2023-03-27T11:21:58-05:00

The Texas House State Affairs Committee has held a hearing on House Bill 2309 by Chairman Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi. The measure, part of the Texas Sunshine Coalition agenda, would ensure public access to dates of birth in criminal justice records and candidates' applications to run for public office. Laura Prather, co-chair of the FOIFT's legislative committee, testified in support of the bill on Wednesday, March 22. She noted that matching a birthdate when someone has a common name prevents mistaken identification and helps with accuracy in news reporting, background checks conducted by businesses and the vetting of candidates for public [...]

First of the Texas Sunshine Coalition bills gets hearing at CapitolFOIFT2023-03-27T11:21:58-05:00

Transparency legislation at the Texas Capitol a bipartisan effort

FOIFT2023-03-13T11:18:12-05:00

By Kelley Shannon To witness bipartisanship at the Texas Capitol, look to the lawmakers who are working to improve open government laws. Legislators from both political parties are igniting interest in transparency and creating the opportunity for all lawmakers to protect the people’s right to know. They’re carrying on our state’s legacy of openness. When the reform-minded 1973 Legislature enacted the Texas Public Information Act, known then as the Open Records Act, it established one of the nation’s strongest transparency laws. This year marks its 50th anniversary. Court rulings and other actions have weakened the law, but as we celebrate open [...]

Transparency legislation at the Texas Capitol a bipartisan effortFOIFT2023-03-13T11:18:12-05:00

Texas Public Information Act’s 50th anniversary an excellent time to strengthen the landmark law

FOIFT2023-02-01T09:19:32-06:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Fifty years ago, responding to public demand in an era of reform, Texas enacted a sweeping law ensuring the people’s right to know about their government. The Texas Public Information Act – originally known as the Open Records Act when it passed in 1973 – was one of the strongest transparency laws in the nation. It allowed Texans to hold their state and local governments accountable by obtaining all sorts of public records. “The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is [...]

Texas Public Information Act’s 50th anniversary an excellent time to strengthen the landmark lawFOIFT2023-02-01T09:19:32-06:00

Texas Sunshine Coalition members unite for open government

FOIFT2023-03-22T12:44:32-05:00

The Texas Sunshine Coalition is a diverse group of 18 organizations recognizing the need to strengthen state transparency laws. Access to government information allows us to hold government accountable. All Texans deserve to know how our leaders are conducting business and spending taxpayer dollars. Coalition members work with lawmakers of both political parties, encouraging a bipartisan approach to open government. The Texas Sunshine Coalition will support transparency measures in the 2023 Legislature centered on these initiatives: Contracting Transparency Although the Legislature passed Senate Bill 943 in 2019 to increase public access to government contracts after a troublesome Texas Supreme Court ruling [...]

Texas Sunshine Coalition members unite for open governmentFOIFT2023-03-22T12:44:32-05:00

Statesman: Texas lawmakers signed NDAs to quietly obtain Uvalde shooting case file

FOIFT2022-12-01T14:43:28-06:00

By Ryan Autullo and Tony Plohetski Austin American-Statesman Originally published Dec. 1, 2022 More than six months after a mass shooting in Uvalde, grieving families and the public are continuing a fierce fight for investigative records, including videos and officer statements, that would help reveal the full truth of the failed law enforcement response at Robb Elementary School. But as they press for answers from records that authorities insist remain confidential, six Texas lawmakers have quietly obtained investigatory information through written agreements with the Texas Department of Public Safety in which they vowed to keep the records secret, the American-Statesman has [...]

Statesman: Texas lawmakers signed NDAs to quietly obtain Uvalde shooting case fileFOIFT2022-12-01T14:43:28-06:00

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