TOMA

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

State water conference raises open meetings questions

FOIFT2017-01-24T14:00:14-06:00

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 questionsFOIFT2017-01-24T14:00:14-06:00

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

FOIFT2016-12-13T17:54:17-06:00

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 violationFOIFT2016-12-13T17:54:17-06:00

Katy ISD trustees: Freedom of speech restricted by school board

FOIFT2016-11-14T16:46:33-06:00

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 boardFOIFT2016-11-14T16:46:33-06:00

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News