Texas Legislature

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

Abbott includes ethics reform, cites need for transparency, in issuing emergency proclamations

FOIFT2015-02-20T18:14:56-06:00

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cited the need for transparency as he issued five proclamations today for emergency items to be considered in the 84th Texas Legislature. The emergency designation means lawmakers can take up those issues earlier than other bills. Abbott included ethics reform among the emergency items, as he had announced he would do earlier this week during his State of the State address. "The faith and trust that Texas citizens place in their elected officials requires each of us to conduct the business of the state in the most transparent and honest manner possible," Abbott said on ethics reforms. [...]

Abbott includes ethics reform, cites need for transparency, in issuing emergency proclamationsFOIFT2015-02-20T18:14:56-06:00

Bill targets out-of-state public information requests

FOIFT2015-02-16T16:11:05-06:00

What happens in Texas stays in Texas. At least it should, according to a controversial bill filed by a state lawmaker. State Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, has filed a proposal that requires government workers to release information sought under the Texas Public Information Act to Texans only. If a request comes in from out of state, the bill lets government workers decide whether they want to comply. “I’m a big fan of open government,” said Schofield, who served for years as former Gov. Rick Perry’s policy adviser, working on issues ranging from public information requests to voter ID. “The purpose of [...]

Bill targets out-of-state public information requestsFOIFT2015-02-16T16:11:05-06:00

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