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Celebrate ‘Sunshine Week,’ cherish Texas transparency

2022-03-31T17:08:39-05:00

By Kelley Shannon FOI Foundation of Texas March 14, 2016 We Texans have a history of straight talk and openness, and our state’s public information laws reflect it. Shining light on our government allows democracy to flourish. As we celebrate that light during national Sunshine Week from March 13-19, let’s be thankful that Texas laws value the public’s right to know through broad access to records and meetings. But we cannot grow complacent. We must fight to keep the laws strong. Every year, there are attempts to chip away at our Texas transparency in the courts, at the Legislature and in [...]

Celebrate ‘Sunshine Week,’ cherish Texas transparency2022-03-31T17:08:39-05:00

Activist sues Austin over housing deal, claims Open Meetings Act violation

2016-02-11T15:15:02-06:00

By Andra Lim Austin American-Statesman Originally published Feb. 10, 2016 A judge should void an affordable housing deal, in which several Austin City Council members said they unknowingly waived up to $106.3 million in city fees, because the lack of public notice violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, said a lawsuit filed Wednesday by civic activist Brian Rodgers. Rodgers started asking questions last month about the deal, which was approved in December and negotiated by the offices of Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Delia Garza. The deal requires the developer of Easton Park near Southeast Austin to place an amount [...]

Activist sues Austin over housing deal, claims Open Meetings Act violation2016-02-11T15:15:02-06:00

Editorial: Investigation can determine whether mobility authority broke open meetings law

2016-02-08T18:59:08-06:00

By Editorial Board Austin American-Statesman Originally published Feb. 6, 2016 The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority again has come under fire regarding concerns about whether it is doing the public’s business in secret. At this point, there are few options in getting answers from CTRMA officials, whose statements to Travis County commissioners last week triggered questions about whether they are violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. The CTRMA is an independent governing agency with no direct accountability to the public. For those reasons, as well as the agency’s history of shielding information from the public, we support Travis County Commissioner Brigid [...]

Editorial: Investigation can determine whether mobility authority broke open meetings law2016-02-08T18:59:08-06:00

Commissioner says toll road agency appears to be violating Open Meetings Act

2016-02-03T18:18:36-06:00

By Sean Collins Walsh Austin American-Statesman Originally published Feb. 2, 2016 Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea on Tuesday called for an investigation into whether the Austin area’s toll road agency is habitually violating the Open Meetings Act. Shea, a vocal critic of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, said that Charles Heimsath, an agency board member, made statements last week that indicated the authority regularly violates the Open Meetings Act, which prohibits a quorum of any voting body’s members from deliberating outside of public view except in special circumstances. Over Shea’s objections, the Commissioners Court voted 3-2 Tuesday to reappoint Heimsath [...]

Commissioner says toll road agency appears to be violating Open Meetings Act2016-02-03T18:18:36-06:00

Denton City Council repeals ordinance after allegation it violated free speech

2015-12-17T14:40:29-06:00

By Jenna Duncan Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Dec. 15, 2015 The Denton City Council voted unanimously to repeal a nearly 10-year-old ordinance stating that council members who spoke about closed session items outside of the session could face criminal charges. While the agenda said the council would consider amending the ordinance to remove any criminal penalties, council member Kevin Roden moved to take the ordinance off the books altogether. He pressed City Attorney Anita Burgess to explain there are strict laws in place at the state level to ensure ethical behavior of elected officials, and harsher punishments for those who don’t [...]

Denton City Council repeals ordinance after allegation it violated free speech2015-12-17T14:40:29-06:00

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