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

2020-06-05T17:31:19-05:00

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?2020-06-05T17:31:19-05:00

Rivard Report: Pandemic is no time to deny the public’s right to know

2020-05-18T14:03:29-05:00

By Robert RivardRivard ReportOriginally published May 17, 2020 One uncomfortable reality for some who collect their paychecks from taxpayer- and ratepayer-supported entities is that the public has a timely right to know what they are doing and how they are doing it. In Texas, however, the public’s right to know is always qualified, despite the existence of the Texas Public Information Act. A continuing legal fight over access to meetings and public records has been waged since the 1970s, when public corruption scandals finally forced legislators in Austin to act. Yet the standoff continues today. ... Now the coronavirus outbreak and ensuing [...]

Rivard Report: Pandemic is no time to deny the public’s right to know2020-05-18T14:03:29-05:00

Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some cases

2020-04-13T15:21:43-05:00

By Joshua FechterSan Antonio Express-NewsOriginally published April 13, 2020 Democracy at the local level usually involves elected officials weighing policy within arm’s reach of each other, residents delivering impassioned remarks at a lectern, oblivious to the microphone’s cleanliness, and voters filing into libraries and schools. But the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus has forced elected officials to try to strike a balance between open government and the need for everyone to keep their distance from each another — a key tool in slowing the spread of the virus but not conducive to public participation. “The virus doesn’t care about democracy,” [...]

Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some cases2020-04-13T15:21:43-05:00

Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecy

2020-04-09T15:19:38-05:00

By Jessica PriestUSA Today NetworkOriginally published April 8, 2020 Read the full story here. Thirty-five states have temporarily altered open government laws to curb the spread of coronavirus, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis of government press releases, newspaper articles and information collected by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the National Governors Association. The agencies in these states — from the smallest municipal bodies to the biggest government entities — now can hold meetings remotely. Some allow public comment only in writing, as in Fuller’s case. They’re also delaying public records requests. Read the full story [...]

Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecy2020-04-09T15:19:38-05:00

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