Texas Legislature

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

2022-12-01T14:43:28-06:00

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 file2022-12-01T14:43:28-06:00

VIDEOS: FOIFT State Conference 2022

2022-10-06T13:04:20-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 29, 2022, in Austin featured expert panelists and lively discussions. Watch videos from the conference sessions and luncheon program by clicking the links below. Session 1: The First Amendment and public schools: Today’s challenges https://youtu.be/LRbND_Tu2Ec Session 2: A fresh look at Texas transparency https://youtu.be/8kLRW3b5WrM Luncheon keynote panel: State Rep. Todd Hunter and Sen. Nathan Johnson, moderated by Josh Hinkle of KXAN https://youtu.be/BZ8BYN3tKjA John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon - James Madison Award recipient Ross Ramsey https://youtu.be/IR08SrhX0Pc John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon - Spirit of FOI Awards presentation and Ralph Langer scholarship announcement https://youtu.be/L7R1ykvGRTg [...]

VIDEOS: FOIFT State Conference 20222022-10-06T13:04:20-05:00

FOI Foundation of Texas state conference set for Sept. 29

2022-08-31T17:48:26-05:00

AUSTIN - Transparency issues surrounding the Uvalde mass shooting, First Amendment rights in school libraries and journalism classrooms and news leaders' and legislators' views on the current open government landscape are the focus of the upcoming FOI Foundation state conference, "New Takes on Texas Transparency." The event will be Thursday, Sept. 29, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., in Austin. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available for purchase online at www.foift.org. Discounted hotel rooms can be reserved for the night of Sept. 28. (Use this reservation link; the cutoff date for the conference hotel room rate is Monday, [...]

FOI Foundation of Texas state conference set for Sept. 292022-08-31T17:48:26-05:00

Austin American-Statesman and KVUE publish full video from Uvalde mass shooing

2022-07-13T12:02:48-05:00

By Manny Garcia Austin American-Statesman Editor Originally published July 12, 2022 The Uvalde mass shooting at Robb Elementary School happened on May 24, seven weeks ago. Here is the video from the tragedy for transparency and a column by Austin American-Statesman editor Manny Garcia on why his newspaper and KVUE decided to publish the footage. Authorities could have easily released it already, Garcia notes. We have to bear witness to history, and transparency and unrelenting reporting is a way to bring change, Garcia writes. Warning: Some may find the footage disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. See the full column and footage [...]

Austin American-Statesman and KVUE publish full video from Uvalde mass shooing2022-07-13T12:02:48-05:00

In Texas, a legal loophole may block access to Uvalde shooting records

2022-06-21T10:32:41-05:00

By David Martin Davies Texas Public Radio Originally aired and published June 14, 2022 Since the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, officials have given out contradictory information. To get the facts, reporters often turn to public information, such as 911 calls, police dispatch recordings and body cameras. But in Texas, those records are tough to obtain. As Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies reports, the state can invoke something called the dead suspect loophole. Read or listen to the full story here.

In Texas, a legal loophole may block access to Uvalde shooting records2022-06-21T10:32:41-05:00
Go to Top