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Phillips: Local newspapers help taxpayers as watchdogs on government

FOIFT2018-07-17T16:26:27-05:00

By Alberta Phillips Austin American-Statesman Originally published July 12, 2018 Daily newspapers long have been the barking – and oftentimes biting – watchdogs that keep the public informed about what their government is doing, be that rescuing people from massive flooding in Austin in 2015, or the mismanagement of $2 billion in contracts by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which came to light that same year. Find the full column here.

Phillips: Local newspapers help taxpayers as watchdogs on governmentFOIFT2018-07-17T16:26:27-05:00

Former Richardson ISD board member alleges board secretly deliberated before votes

FOIFT2018-07-10T14:52:09-05:00

By Nanette Light The Dallas Morning News Originally published July 9, 2018 A former Richardson ISD school board member has sued the school district and its board of trustees, alleging "continuous and systematic" violations of the state's open meetings law. David Tyson Jr. - a black businessman who has challenged the validity of the all-white board in the diverse district - said in the civil lawsuit that the school board has participated in a long-running practice of violating the state's open meetings laws. The result, he alleged, has been that votes are merely "rubber-stamp" formalities. Read the full story here.

Former Richardson ISD board member alleges board secretly deliberated before votesFOIFT2018-07-10T14:52:09-05:00

Calhoun Port Authority in court filing denies it violated Open Meetings Act

FOIFT2018-06-25T21:15:57-05:00

The Victoria Advocate reported on June 22: The Calhoun Port Authority in a court filing has officially denied violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. At the same time, the port might be guilty of violating the law again with its posting of a special meeting next week, legal experts said. The port’s lawyer, Bill Cobb, of Austin, responded to the Victoria Advocate’s lawsuit by denying all its allegations. Read the full story here.

Calhoun Port Authority in court filing denies it violated Open Meetings ActFOIFT2018-06-25T21:15:57-05:00

San Antonio City Council closed meeting spurs debate on transparency, Texas law

FOIFT2018-05-30T14:43:53-05:00

By Jan Ross Piedad Texas Public Radio Originally published May 24, 2018 Texas Public Radio's program "The Source" recently focused on the dispute sparked when the San Antonio City Council met behind closed doors to discuss whether the city should submit a bid to host the Republican National Convention in 2020. Joe Larsen, an attorney on the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board, was one of the program's guests. See the full story and listen to the radio program at the link below. http://tpr.org/post/san-antonio-city-council-closed-door-meeting-spurs-debate-transparency-texas-law

San Antonio City Council closed meeting spurs debate on transparency, Texas lawFOIFT2018-05-30T14:43:53-05:00

Victoria Advocate files suit against Calhoun port in Farenthold hiring

FOIFT2018-05-23T14:24:06-05:00

By Jon Wilcox Victoria Advocate Originally published May 21, 2018 The Victoria Advocate filed a lawsuit Monday asserting the Calhoun Port Authority broke the Texas open meetings law in hiring former Congressman Blake Farenthold as a lobbyist. “Few rights of the public are as important as the right to knowledge about how their government spends taxpayer funds and manages the public’s business. This suit is to vindicate those rights and reaffirm ... that sunshine is indeed the best disinfectant,” according to the lawsuit filed by the newspaper’s attorney, John Griffin, of Victoria. The suit comes almost two weeks after a May [...]

Victoria Advocate files suit against Calhoun port in Farenthold hiringFOIFT2018-05-23T14:24:06-05:00

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