TOMA

Former Angelina County judge found guilty of violating Open Meetings Act

FOIFT2023-06-28T16:32:42-05:00

By KTRE Digital Media Staff Originally published June 28, 2023 LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - A former Angelina County judge has been found guilty of violating the open meetings act following his trial. Don Lymbery, the former Angelina County judge, was indicted in March 2022 along with two other county authorities in connection with violating the open meeting act. The charge stems from an Aug. 9, 2021, meeting of the three men in Lymbery’s office. Lymbery denied any wrongdoing, claiming the conversation between the three did not include county business and added that he had to leave his office for an interview [...]

Former Angelina County judge found guilty of violating Open Meetings ActFOIFT2023-06-28T16:32:42-05:00

Texas Public Information Act’s 50th anniversary an excellent time to strengthen the landmark law

FOIFT2023-02-01T09:19:32-06:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Fifty years ago, responding to public demand in an era of reform, Texas enacted a sweeping law ensuring the people’s right to know about their government. The Texas Public Information Act – originally known as the Open Records Act when it passed in 1973 – was one of the strongest transparency laws in the nation. It allowed Texans to hold their state and local governments accountable by obtaining all sorts of public records. “The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is [...]

Texas Public Information Act’s 50th anniversary an excellent time to strengthen the landmark lawFOIFT2023-02-01T09:19:32-06:00

VIDEOS: FOIFT State Conference 2022

FOIFT2022-10-06T13:04:20-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 29, 2022, in Austin featured expert panelists and lively discussions. Watch videos from the conference sessions and luncheon program by clicking the links below. Session 1: The First Amendment and public schools: Today’s challenges https://youtu.be/LRbND_Tu2Ec Session 2: A fresh look at Texas transparency https://youtu.be/8kLRW3b5WrM Luncheon keynote panel: State Rep. Todd Hunter and Sen. Nathan Johnson, moderated by Josh Hinkle of KXAN https://youtu.be/BZ8BYN3tKjA John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon - James Madison Award recipient Ross Ramsey https://youtu.be/IR08SrhX0Pc John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon - Spirit of FOI Awards presentation and Ralph Langer scholarship announcement https://youtu.be/L7R1ykvGRTg [...]

VIDEOS: FOIFT State Conference 2022FOIFT2022-10-06T13:04:20-05:00

Tarrant Appraisal District Board violated open meetings act by locking doors, attorney says

FOIFT2022-07-01T12:07:03-05:00

By Sandra Sadek Fort Worth Report Originally published June 30, 2022 Tarrant County residents’ frustrations with property tax appraisals boiled to the surface June 30 when so many people showed up that officials locked the doors to a public meeting. ... Joe Larsen, a media attorney and a Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board member, said the meeting was a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act because a large majority of the public wanting to attend was not allowed in. When the board realized its meeting room was not large enough for the public, it should have recessed the [...]

Tarrant Appraisal District Board violated open meetings act by locking doors, attorney saysFOIFT2022-07-01T12:07:03-05:00

FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminars in San Antonio, Edinburg

FOIFT2022-06-04T12:52:55-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Perhaps you’ve heard the saying that information is power. It’s a fundamental principle in the founding of our nation. James Madison, pivotal in writing and ratifying the U.S. Constitution, spoke of the importance of information – of the knowledge people need to govern themselves. The “advancement and diffusion of knowledge” is the only true guardian of liberty, Madison warned. Certainly, those words resonate today, and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is doing its part to help Texans obtain the knowledge necessary to watch over government and participate in [...]

FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminars in San Antonio, EdinburgFOIFT2022-06-04T12:52:55-05:00

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News