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Positive open government bills emerging at Capitol, too

2022-03-31T17:08:42-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Every legislative session there are attempts to shut off government information to the public, and this year is no exception. But there are also a number of positive open government bills emerging at the Texas Capitol. Throughout the session, we'll highlight some good open government bills in periodic blog posts. Here are a few of those bills filed so far: Senate Bill 308 by Sen. John Whitmire. This measure would ensure that the records of private universities' police departments are subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Senate Bill 434 [...]

Positive open government bills emerging at Capitol, too2022-03-31T17:08:42-05:00

Court says Tarrant Regional Water District didn’t violate open meetings law

2014-12-01T16:15:40-06:00

By Bill Hanna Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published Nov. 28, 2014 The 2nd Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the Tarrant Regional Water District did not violate the Texas Open Meetings Act when it discussed a massive 149-mile pipeline project that will bring water from east Texas to Fort Worth and Dallas. Dallas businessman Monty Bennett sued TRWD in 2013, arguing that the board circumvented the Open Meetings law by effectively making most of its decisions in two-person committees that the board then rubber stamped with little or no public discussion. Bennett is fighting TRWD’s attempts to use eminent domain to [...]

Court says Tarrant Regional Water District didn’t violate open meetings law2014-12-01T16:15:40-06:00

Board chair backs out of meeting to avoid Open Meetings Act violation

2014-11-26T13:52:27-06:00

By Bleah B. Patterson San Antonio College Ranger Originally published Nov. 25, 2014 District 8 trustee Clint Kingsbery said the public should expect a confrontation between the board of trustees and district administrators during the Dec. 16 regular board meeting. The trustees finally have recognized a lack of trust and communication among district administrators and faculty and students, Kingsbery said during Thursday’s special Faculty Senate meeting. Board Chair Anna Bustamante accepted an invitation to attend the meeting but canceled, Faculty Senate President Dawn Elmore said. “I was not able to attend the forum with the SAC Faculty Senate on Thursday due [...]

Board chair backs out of meeting to avoid Open Meetings Act violation2014-11-26T13:52:27-06:00

Lawmaker spoke to grand jury after making open government complaint

2014-11-24T16:02:06-06:00

By Bill Hanna Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published Nov. 23, 2014 A state representative said last week that he testified before a Henderson County grand jury after bringing a complaint against the Tarrant Regional Water District because of the way it conducts business. State Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Terrell, said he took a complaint to Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee last summer. Gooden told the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce this month that he had been contacted by a private citizen concerning allegations about the water district, according to the Athens Daily Review. “I wanted to know how they [...]

Lawmaker spoke to grand jury after making open government complaint2014-11-24T16:02:06-06:00

On the road again: Open Government Seminar headed to Denton

2014-11-05T20:19:41-06:00

AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Denton for residents throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Denton. It is designed for government employees, journalists and any citizens who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. “Texas open government laws allow citizens to access information and participate in our democracy. These laws also [...]

On the road again: Open Government Seminar headed to Denton2014-11-05T20:19:41-06:00
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