Texas Legislature

Rep. Todd Hunter named Open Government Lawmaker of the Year

ashleywp2013-09-19T16:16:32-05:00

AUSTIN -- Rep. Todd Hunter, who has authored legislation to improve public access to government and protect First Amendment rights, is receiving the Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is chairman of the House Calendars Committee. He served in the House from 1989-97 and returned in 2009. He has long been an advocate for open government. Hunter will receive the award during the FOI Foundation’s annual conference Aug. 9 in Austin. During the 83rd Legislature this year, Hunter worked to modernize the Texas Public Information Act to reflect the [...]

Rep. Todd Hunter named Open Government Lawmaker of the Yearashleywp2013-09-19T16:16:32-05:00

Conference update | Speakers, accommodations + more!

ashleywp2013-09-30T04:03:23-05:00

The 2013 Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference is fast approaching and we’ve got some exciting things to share! Speakers Conference speakers have been added to the roll and include: Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake Tom “Smitty” Smith, Public Citizen Laura Prather, First Amendment attorney, Haynes & Boone Reeve Hamilton, Texas Tribune James Drew, The Dallas Morning News Craig McDonald, Texans for Public Justice Brian Collister, KTRK-TV These speakers will examine the 83rd legislative session, contemporary open government issues and higher education. Stay tuned for our announcement of the conference keynote speaker! Accommodations Time to reserve a hotel [...]

Conference update | Speakers, accommodations + more!ashleywp2013-09-30T04:03:23-05:00

Open government law updates

ashleywp2013-08-18T16:10:39-05:00

Three detailed updates on newly passed Texas open government laws are now available by clicking the “Legislature” tab of our website. First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, a past president of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, describes these new laws and how they will help the public and newsrooms.

Open government law updatesashleywp2013-08-18T16:10:39-05:00

Open government, free speech protections to become Texas law

ashleywp2013-09-30T04:10:28-05:00

Legislation updating the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act along with measures that further protect freedom of speech and the press have been signed by Gov. Rick Perry and will become state law. Perry signed these open government and First Amendment protection bills Friday. They are among the major legislation supported by the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas during the 2013 regular legislative session, which concluded May 27. Here are some of the leading open government bills signed into law: SB 1368: Modernizes the Texas Public Information Act by specifying that electronic messages dealing with official [...]

Open government, free speech protections to become Texas lawashleywp2013-09-30T04:10:28-05:00

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas praises open government advances

ashleywp2013-08-18T16:48:15-05:00

AUSTIN _ Texans will gain greater access to the records and actions of their public officials under several measures supported by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) and approved in the 83rd Legislature. FOIFT board members from across the state testified in favor of these leading open government proposals and First Amendment protections that won House and Senate passage, and now head to Gov. Rick Perry. “This is a tremendous step forward,” said Laura Prather, a First Amendment attorney with Haynes and Boone. “We applaud the lawmakers who worked so hard to pass these bills. The people of Texas [...]

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas praises open government advancesashleywp2013-08-18T16:48:15-05:00

Texas Legislature

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News