Transparency

Calhoun Port Authority’s hiring of Farenthold could be illegal

FOIFT2018-05-18T14:41:15-05:00

By Jessica Priest Victoria Advocate Originally published May 18, 2018 The Calhoun Port Authority apparently violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it hired former Congressman Blake Farenthold as its lobbyist. The Victoria Advocate is investigating its legal options in challenging the May 9 action on behalf of the public. “This is one of the most clear-cut examples of a notice violation that I’ve ever seen,” said longtime media attorney Joe Larsen, who serves on the board of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Larsen said the notice the port posted at the Calhoun County courthouse May 4 was too [...]

Calhoun Port Authority’s hiring of Farenthold could be illegalFOIFT2018-05-18T14:41:15-05:00

Corpus Christi community members, civic leaders talk importance of open government

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:29-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas CORPUS CHRISTI - The public must have access to information about how taxpayer money is spent and other basic government data, transparency advocates said Thursday at a forum organized by state Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi. The event focused on the importance of access to information in holding government accountable. "This isn't partisan," Hunter told the audience at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. He noted that many people say they are in favor of transparency, but he said some leaders do not take action and allow special interests to [...]

Corpus Christi community members, civic leaders talk importance of open governmentFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:29-05:00

Texas Supreme Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against The Dallas Morning News

FOIFT2018-05-14T15:18:36-05:00

By Jeff Mosier The Dallas Morning News Originally published May 12, 2018 The Texas Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Friday in which a couple claimed The Dallas Morning News defamed them when it published a column disclosing their decision to omit information about their teenage son’s suicide from a paid obituary. John and Mary Ann Tatum, whose 17-year-old son shot himself, sued The News and now-retired Metro columnist Steve Blow in 2011 over allegations that the column accused the couple of lying about their son’s death. The 2010 column, “Shrouding suicide leaves its danger unaddressed,” urged the public to talk more [...]

Texas Supreme Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against The Dallas Morning NewsFOIFT2018-05-14T15:18:36-05:00

Column: Late-night Austin council meetings hurt the cause of open government

FOIFT2018-05-14T15:13:27-05:00

By Bridget Grumet Column Austin American-Statesman Originally published May 11, 2018 Click here to read Bridget Grumet's column, which starts out: We’re nearly a year into the Austin City Council’s latest push to rein in its late-night meetings. And if, like me, you were watching as the April 26 meeting ran into April 27, with a big debate on rentable scooters starting after midnight and a critical CodeNext discussion running from 2 to 3 a.m., then you know how well that’s going. Sadly, we’re so inured to late-night council meetings that we’ve accepted this is how Austin does things: Bleary-eyed council [...]

Column: Late-night Austin council meetings hurt the cause of open governmentFOIFT2018-05-14T15:13:27-05:00

San Antonio council’s closed-door meeting on GOP convention a ‘blatant mistake’

FOIFT2018-05-08T14:14:03-05:00

By Brian Chasnoff San Antonio Express-News Originally published May 8, 2018 San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg opted last week to convene the City Council behind closed doors to discuss whether the city should submit a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention. Made in private, the council’s controversial decision not to pursue the event likely violated the Texas Open Meetings Act — regardless of whether the council arrived at that decision by vote, experts said. “Wow. That’s a pretty blatant mistake,” said Bill Aleshire, an Austin-based attorney whose law practice is focused on government transparency and accountability. Read the full [...]

San Antonio council’s closed-door meeting on GOP convention a ‘blatant mistake’FOIFT2018-05-08T14:14:03-05:00

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