Transparency

FOI Foundation planning fall online conference series

2020-08-12T19:14:00-05:00

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 series2020-08-12T19:14:00-05:00

Texas HHSC to release names and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks

2020-08-26T21:57:28-05:00

After the Texas Attorney General's Office rejected most of the secrecy arguments made by the state Health and Human Services Commission, the agency is now the releasing the names and locations of nursing homes and state living facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, journalists and interested citizens requested the information under the Texas Public Information Act. The FOI Foundation and others made it clear they were not seeking information that would identify individual patients. The attorney general's open records division issued a ruling July 6 rejecting almost all of the HHSC's arguments for withholding the facility [...]

Texas HHSC to release names and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks2020-08-26T21:57:28-05:00

Attorney general rules identities and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks must be released

2020-07-20T16:37:05-05:00

AUSTIN - In a strong ruling for open government, the Texas Attorney General's Office has rejected most arguments presented by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for concealing information on nursing home names and locations where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred. The attorney general ruling on July 6 required release of the bulk of information requested earlier this year by numerous organizations and individuals. The non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and others called on state and local officials to reveal the names and locations of nursing homes and long-term care facilities where cases and/or deaths from COVID-19 have been [...]

Attorney general rules identities and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks must be released2020-07-20T16:37:05-05:00

Why Austin ISD’s search for a new leader will remain confidential despite calls for transparency

2020-07-20T15:47:48-05:00

By Melissa B. TaboadaAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published July 17, 2020 Days before the Austin school board is slated to select a new superintendent, several parents and community groups are making a final push to convince the school district to allow them to help vet the candidates in a selection process often shrouded in mystery. ... But the board has no plan to list the contenders, their answers to trustees’ interview questions or to slow down the process. Austin superintendent searches have widely varied, with some more transparent than others. Unlike the process for city managers and police chiefs, Texas law protects the [...]

Why Austin ISD’s search for a new leader will remain confidential despite calls for transparency2020-07-20T15:47:48-05:00

Travis County trying to withhold information about its opposition to open records legislation

2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

By John EngelKXANOriginally published July 13, 2020 Travis County will ask the Attorney General’s office whether it can withhold communication about a police transparency bill that the county registered in opposition to in 2019. In response to a KXAN public information request regarding county communication about House Bill 147, which aimed to close the so-called dead suspect loophole, a county attorney said he will request guidance from the Attorney General as to whether the information has to be released under public records law. The loophole is an exemption in Texas public records law that allows law enforcement agencies to withhold information [...]

Travis County trying to withhold information about its opposition to open records legislation2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

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    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

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