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FOI Column: Even during a pandemic, government must be open with easy access

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:20-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Reopening public places amid the COVID-19 pandemic should certainly be carried out with caution. Government offices are no exception. Yet citizens must have the ability to watch over their government, even during an emergency. Especially during an emergency. It’s long past time to reopen public access to government records and meetings that have been shut off for months. This can happen even if government employees continue to work from home for safety reasons. The Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act – two major open government laws that help us learn about everything from local zoning [...]

FOI Column: Even during a pandemic, government must be open with easy accessFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:20-05:00

Have you encountered a government blocking public information during the COVID-19 pandemic?

FOIFT2020-09-09T20:23:46-05:00

The FOI Foundation continues to hear from numerous Texans who have encountered barriers to obtaining public information amid the coronavirus pandemic. We are keeping track of these problems as we work on solutions for how the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act should function during such an unprecedented emergency. If you have encountered a governmental entity stating it will not respond to or fill a Public Information Act request because their office is physically closed or operating with a "skeleton crew" because staff members are working remotely, please let the FOI Foundation know. We also want to [...]

Have you encountered a government blocking public information during the COVID-19 pandemic?FOIFT2020-09-09T20:23:46-05:00

FOI Foundation planning fall online conference series

FOIFT2020-08-12T19:14:00-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, which is not holding an in-person state conference this year because of the coronavirus, instead is planning fall online programs to explore leading open government issues. These online discussions will focus on transparency matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic, modern-day challenges surrounding the Texas Public Information Act and other timely topics. An online awards celebration will honor the James Madison Award recipient, the Spirit of FOI Award winners and the State Bar's Texas Gavel Award winners. Detailed information on dates and times of the online programs will be coming soon. Stay tuned!

FOI Foundation planning fall online conference seriesFOIFT2020-08-12T19:14:00-05:00

FOI Foundation state conference to be online event in 2020

FOIFT2020-06-19T15:56:05-05:00

Because of continuing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference originally scheduled for Austin on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, will not take place in person. Instead, we will host online open government events this fall focusing on timely transparency issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, police accountability and more. Stay tuned for further details. We look forward to returning to an in-person conference in September 2021 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin.

FOI Foundation state conference to be online event in 2020FOIFT2020-06-19T15:56:05-05:00

Transparency amid pandemic: Is government using COVID-19 to withhold public information?

FOIFT2020-06-05T17:31:19-05:00

By John C. MoritzAustin Bureau, USA Today NetworkOriginally published June 4, 2020 AUSTIN — Two influential state lawmakers say some state and local governments are using the coronavirus pandemic to undermine Texas' open meetings and open records laws and they are already gearing up to close loopholes when the Legislative session convenes in January. "You're either for open government, or you're not," state Rep. Todd Hunter said during an online seminar on government transparency organized Thursday by the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation and the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. "If you're in the business of creating speed bumps (to stop or delay the release of [...]

Transparency amid pandemic: Is government using COVID-19 to withhold public information?FOIFT2020-06-05T17:31:19-05:00

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