Transparency

FOIFT remembers dedicated service of former president Ralph Langer

2021-11-18T15:54:26-06:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is forever grateful for the dedicated service of former organization president Ralph Langer, who passed away in August at age 84. FOIFT honored Langer at our Sept. 24, 2021, state conference with the following remembrance delivered by current board president Arif Panju: In Memoriam, Ralph Langer Ralph Langer was the former long-time president of the Freedom of Information Foundation and the guiding light behind transforming the Foundation into the leading voice in Texas on open government and the First Amendment. Ralph died August 5 at his home in Rockwall after an illness. He was [...]

FOIFT remembers dedicated service of former president Ralph Langer2021-11-18T15:54:26-06:00

Texas open government advocates notch legislative wins but want more

2021-11-12T15:49:42-06:00

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 more2021-11-12T15:49:42-06:00

Supplying information swiftly – not delaying it – is government’s duty

2022-04-13T14:59:27-05:00

By Kelley Shannon If you work in government, here’s something to remember: You work for the people. It’s your job to ensure citizens can interact with their government and have the information they need to hold it accountable. That includes handing over public records when someone requests them.  In Texas, government documents are presumed to be open to everyone and can only be withheld under specific confidentiality exemptions in the state’s Public Information Act.  Many government employees understand this quite well. Some relish helping records requestors. Unfortunately, though, Texas is experiencing a wave of blocked or delayed access to public information. One [...]

Supplying information swiftly – not delaying it – is government’s duty2022-04-13T14:59:27-05:00

Speaker Pro Tem Joe Moody, expert panel address Texas law enforcement transparency in webinar

2022-04-07T16:02:25-05:00

Texas House Speaker Pro Tem Joe Moody, Josh Hinkle of KXAN-TV, Eva Ruth Moravec of the Texas Justice Initiative and Kathy Mitchell of Just Liberty discussed the latest in police transparency laws during a one-hour webinar on Feb. 24. Hinkle, leader of KXAN's investigative team, moderated the panel discussion, which was free and open to the public. The FOI Foundation of Texas and ACLU of Texas co-hosted the event. Watch a recording of the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwgzGAixbz0&feature=youtu.be and see KXAN's coverage of news made during the webinar by clicking this link.

Speaker Pro Tem Joe Moody, expert panel address Texas law enforcement transparency in webinar2022-04-07T16:02:25-05:00

In pandemic era, Texans’ access to public information at risk

2022-03-31T17:08:19-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Bold steps nearly 50 years ago created a landmark protection for the people’s right to know in Texas. Lawmakers approved the state’s open records law, now known as the Texas Public Information Act. Born out of a political financial scandal, the act’s aim was to allow citizens to hold public officials accountable. For the most part, this Texas transparency law has served us well.  It’s essential in many Texans’ routine interactions with their government as they request police reports and school budget documents and so much more. It has been used to expose government action – or inaction [...]

In pandemic era, Texans’ access to public information at risk2022-03-31T17:08:19-05:00

CONTACT INFO

  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

© Copyright 2025 | The Freedom of Information Foundation | All Rights Reserved | by HelixSEO

Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top