Transparency

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

After Statesman inquiry, lawsuit aims to keep Texas Teacher Retirement System’s lease under wraps

2020-05-18T14:19:25-05:00

By Bob SechlerAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published May 15, 2020 The Teacher Retirement System of Texas describes itself as committed to public transparency and says it’s no longer trying to prevent disclosure of the full terms of its multimillion-dollar office lease in the luxury Indeed Tower high-rise under construction in downtown Austin. But that hasn’t stopped a development company in which the taxpayer-funded retirement system has a big financial stake from continuing the state agency’s nearly yearlong legal effort to conceal the information following multiple American-Statesman requests for it. The company — TC Austin Block 71 LLC — has filed a lawsuit against [...]

After Statesman inquiry, lawsuit aims to keep Texas Teacher Retirement System’s lease under wraps2020-05-18T14:19:25-05:00

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

Austin police to release shooting videos sooner under new policy

2020-05-15T15:30:48-05:00

By Tony PlohetskiAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published May 13, 2020 Austin police officials will begin releasing video from officer-involved shootings within 60 days of each incident, a drastic change to internal policy that used to shield that information for many months or longer until an investigation was completed. Officials say the policy is intended to help foster community trust and allow for greater accountability while still giving detectives two months to follow investigative leads that might be compromised by the immediate release of such evidence. Read the full story here.

Austin police to release shooting videos sooner under new policy2020-05-15T15:30:48-05:00

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