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Reversing course, Austin council to reveal city manager finalists

FOIFT2017-11-10T15:19:09-06:00

By Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Nov. 9, 2017 Austin City Council members will reverse course on their secret search for a city manager and release up to five finalists’ names in the next few days, a week after the American-Statesman staked out candidate interviews and sued the city over refusing to release records on the search. Stephen Newton, a representative of search firm Russell Reynolds, told the council Thursday that he recommended making the finalists’ names public — a departure from his previous advice, and from a decision the council made in March to keep the process confidential until [...]

Reversing course, Austin council to reveal city manager finalistsFOIFT2017-11-10T15:19:09-06:00

Texas Railroad Commission chief’s ouster raises open meetings question

FOIFT2017-09-20T20:25:21-05:00

By Mike Lee E&E News Originally published Sept. 20, 2017 The head of Texas' oil and gas regulator resigned this week under pressure from one of the elected officials she reports to, touching off a dispute over whether her dismissal had been properly handled. Kim Corley, who has been executive director of the Texas Railroad Commission since last year, said she was abruptly summoned Monday to commission Chairwoman Christi Craddick's office. Craddick, accompanied by two of the commission's lawyers, told her she could resign or the agency would begin the process of firing her, Corley said in an interview. "She said, [...]

Texas Railroad Commission chief’s ouster raises open meetings questionFOIFT2017-09-20T20:25:21-05:00

Transparency in government leads to real news

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Whether depending on our government for storm recovery, good schools, police protection or other important services, openness and access to information are essential to ensuring the job gets done. A free flow of information helps citizens keep watch on their government. It also allows journalists to report on matters of widespread interest by scrutinizing public records and meetings and, just as importantly, asking necessary, tough questions of government officials. In short, transparency leads to real news. It leads to the truth. Legitimate news organizations uncover what has actually happened – and even [...]

Transparency in government leads to real newsFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

Judge rules portion of Texas Open Meetings Act unconstitutional

FOIFT2017-04-05T13:47:20-05:00

By Jesse Mendoza Community Impact Newspaper Originally published April 4, 2017 Presiding Judge Randy Clapp of Wharton County’s 329th District Court ruled that a portion of the Texas Open Meetings Act is unconstitutional—thus dismissing the case against Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal and other officials. The case, which was heard in Montgomery County’s 221st District Court, brought to question whether Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark and political consultant Marc Davenport violated the Texas Open Meetings Act while negotiating details of the November 2015 Montgomery County road bond. However, the case never made it to trial. [...]

Judge rules portion of Texas Open Meetings Act unconstitutionalFOIFT2017-04-05T13:47:20-05:00

Montgomery County case tests strength of open meetings law

FOIFT2017-03-24T15:11:38-05:00

By Mike Snyder Houston Chronicle Originally published March 23, 2017 It must have seemed like such a simple solution. The chairman of Pasadena's tax-funded economic development agency wanted its board to hear a presentation from an engineering firm last November. But no public notice had been posted, as the Texas Open Meetings Act requires. So Roy Mease, the chairman of the Pasadena Second Century Corp., divided the board into two groups that received separate briefings on the same day. No quorum; no problem. Right? After Mease acknowledged this gambit to my colleague Kristi Nix, Pasadena Councilman Sammy Casados filed a complaint [...]

Montgomery County case tests strength of open meetings lawFOIFT2017-03-24T15:11:38-05:00

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