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Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinance

FOIFT2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Oct. 20, 2015 The Denton City Council kicked a questionable 10-year-old ordinance to its ethics committee Tuesday, after failing to agree to repeal it or even on how to modify it. The ordinance criminalizes speech for council members who talk about city business deemed “confidential.” The Texas Freedom of Information Foundation wrote the city a letter in August saying the ordinance is likely unconstitutional. The council also moved forward new rules for tow truck operators and heard two hours of testimony over the location for the Eagle electrical substation. The council had not made [...]

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinanceFOIFT2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

LBJ Library Director Updegrove speech, open records discussions featured at conference

FOIFT2015-09-03T16:56:23-05:00

AUSTIN _ Texas ethics disclosures and access to university admissions records will highlight debate and discussion at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 17, when open government champions also will be honored. This year’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport Annual State Conference, “Transparency: Talk vs. Practice,” takes place at the Hyatt Regency in Austin. “Our state has a proud history of standing up for open government and the people’s right to know,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the FOI Foundation of Texas. “At this gathering, we celebrate those principles and look to strengthen them in the future.” [...]

LBJ Library Director Updegrove speech, open records discussions featured at conferenceFOIFT2015-09-03T16:56:23-05:00

FOI Foundation: Denton ordinance likely illegal

FOIFT2015-09-01T13:17:06-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Aug. 31, 2015 A 10-year-old city of Denton ordinance that could make criminals of City Council members who talk about City Hall secrets is probably illegal, according to the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation, which has called for the ordinance’s repeal. Houston attorney Joseph Larsen wrote the City Council a two-page letter last week on behalf of the foundation, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for open government. In the letter, Larsen detailed how the ordinance compromises the First Amendment free-speech rights of council members, the public and the press. The ordinance also usurps and [...]

FOI Foundation: Denton ordinance likely illegalFOIFT2015-09-01T13:17:06-05:00

Attorney general to investigate Smith County Commissioners Court on open meetings

FOIFT2015-06-29T14:46:13-05:00

By Faith Harper Tyler Morning Telegraph Originally published June 26, 2015 The Texas Attorney General’s Office will investigate whether the Smith County Commissioners Court violated the Texas Open Meetings Act while working to place unmanned speed cameras in school zones. The investigation stems from a complaint filed in the Smith County District Attorney’s Office by JoAnn Fleming, executive director of Grassroots America — We the People. The six-page complaint, dated May 12, cites nine concerns about the contract with American Traffic Solutions for the cameras and how informed the public was on the contract negotiations. Texas Open Meetings Act violations are [...]

Attorney general to investigate Smith County Commissioners Court on open meetingsFOIFT2015-06-29T14:46:13-05:00

New Texas laws protect public’s right to know

FOIFT2015-06-03T16:06:54-05:00

AUSTIN – Texans will gain access to private university police records and more easily observe public meetings because of action this legislative session, while journalists can continue robust reporting on allegations of wrongdoing. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas pressed for these and other transparency measures in the 84th Legislature, which concluded Monday. One highlight was passage of Senate Bill 627, allowing journalists to accurately report on wrongdoing accusations that are not yet part of a government inquiry. It codifies what has been common law in Texas for 25 years and clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling. This bill [...]

New Texas laws protect public’s right to knowFOIFT2015-06-03T16:06:54-05:00

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