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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

Threats from Gov. Abbott among reasons why a Texas school district keeps book challenges secretive

FOIFT2022-01-10T17:02:41-06:00

By Talia Richman The Dallas Morning News Originally published Jan. 10, 2022 Fear of retribution from Gov. Greg Abbott contributes to Keller school officials’ push to keep deliberations about which books to ban from libraries private. ... Joe Larsen, an attorney on the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board of directors, reviewed Keller ISD’s arguments. But despite the district’s concerns, he said, book challenge committee meetings should be open to the public because of the decisions members are empowered to make. “What we’re able to read is the basis of a free society,” Larsen said. “There are obviously going to [...]

Threats from Gov. Abbott among reasons why a Texas school district keeps book challenges secretiveFOIFT2022-01-10T17:02:41-06:00

Texas open government advocates notch legislative wins but want more

FOIFT2021-11-12T15:49:42-06:00

By Daniel Van Oudenaren The Austin Bulldog Originally published Nov. 10, 2021 Advocates who pushed for changes to Texas’s public information laws at the legislature this year are celebrating a handful of wins but fell short on some of their agenda. Two new transparency laws took effect September 1st, the fruit of a bipartisan effort: Senate Bill 930 by state Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), which ensures that families of nursing home residents have access to information about outbreaks of communicable diseases within the facilities; and Senate Bill 1225 by Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), which tightens the catastrophe exception in Texas Public [...]

Texas open government advocates notch legislative wins but want moreFOIFT2021-11-12T15:49:42-06:00

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