TOMA

Montgomery County case tests strength of open meetings law

2017-03-24T15:11:38-05:00

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 law2017-03-24T15:11:38-05:00

State water conference raises open meetings questions

2017-01-24T14:00:14-06:00

By Jo Clifton Austin Monitor Originally published Jan. 24, 2017 An attorney for the nonprofit League of Independent Voters of Texas warned the Texas Water Development Board on Sunday that the agency was in jeopardy of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. However, by the end of the day Monday, it appeared that the agency and the nonprofit had reached an accommodation. The board is sponsoring a conference about water issues called Water for Texas 2017, with members of the agency’s three-member board of directors as well as movers and shakers in state government, like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas [...]

State water conference raises open meetings questions2017-01-24T14:00:14-06:00

Former Smith County judge to pay fine in Open Meetings Act violation

2016-12-13T17:54:17-06:00

By Cody Lillich KLTV Originally published Dec. 12, 2016 Former East Texas County judge Joel Baker entered a no contest plea deal Monday on one of the three charges brought against him. Two of the other counts were dismissed per the deal. Baker must pay a $200 fine as a part of the agreement. The trial for the former Smith County judge ended before it even began Monday in a Smith County courtroom. The three charges stem from a now-suspended contract with American Traffic Solutions to deploy speed monitoring cameras in county school zones. According to the indictment, the grand jury [...]

Former Smith County judge to pay fine in Open Meetings Act violation2016-12-13T17:54:17-06:00

Katy ISD trustees: Freedom of speech restricted by school board

2016-11-14T16:46:33-06:00

By Sebastian Herrera Houston Chronicle Originally published Nov. 13, 2016 Two trustees on the Katy school board believe their First Amendment rights are being infringed by a written board procedure that only allows the board president to speak to the media. The long-standing procedure suggests that elected officials should filter information to the public and act as a unified voice despite different opinions on district matters. It is scheduled to be discussed by trustees in the suburban west Houston district on Monday after new board member George Scott threatened legal action. Katy ISD voters elected Scott in May after he ran [...]

Katy ISD trustees: Freedom of speech restricted by school board2016-11-14T16:46:33-06:00

Open Meetings Act trial for Montgomery County officials, consultant reset for March 27

2016-11-03T14:58:24-05:00

Three Montgomery County elected officials and a political consultant facing charges of conspiring to circumvent the Texas Open Meetings Act will have to wait at least five more months to have their day in court. Judge Randy Clapp of Wharton County set March 27, 2017 as the new trial date for Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal, County Commissioners Charlie Riley and Jim Clark and political consultant Marc Davenport. Clapp, a visiting judge, reset the trial date following a conference involving all parties in the case. The trial, originally set to begin Monday, was pushed back in part due to scheduling issues [...]

Open Meetings Act trial for Montgomery County officials, consultant reset for March 272016-11-03T14:58:24-05:00

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