Transparency

Seize the Moment: At 50-year mark, celebrate and strengthen the Public Information Act

FOIFT2023-09-20T15:00:50-05:00

By Kelley Shannon With trust in government waning, a Texas law can help keep a closer watch on public officials. Even citizens who continue to have faith in government can use this law to stay better informed. How is taxpayer money spent? What’s happening behind the scenes as government decisions are made? The Texas Public Information Act produces answers to these crucial questions. The act has been here for us for 50 years and is essential in protecting our right to know. Like a well-built old house, the landmark law is constantly in need of upkeep, yet it withstands the test [...]

Seize the Moment: At 50-year mark, celebrate and strengthen the Public Information ActFOIFT2023-09-20T15:00:50-05:00

Audit details backlog of public records requests at Austin Police Department

FOIFT2023-08-25T12:47:17-05:00

By Skye Seipp Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 24, 2023 If you file an open records request with the Austin Police Department, you might have to wait significantly longer to receive that information than if you sought records from another city department. An audit found the Police Department has a backlog of nearly 20,000 public information requests, largely because its staff to handle these requests is 20 times smaller than that of the city's — even though the Police Department receives double the number of requests per year compared with the city. These findings were presented to the Austin City Council [...]

Audit details backlog of public records requests at Austin Police DepartmentFOIFT2023-08-25T12:47:17-05:00

Judge says DPS must release documents related to Uvalde shooting response

FOIFT2023-06-30T08:39:44-05:00

By William Melhado The Texas Tribune Originally published June 29, 2023 A state district judge on Thursday ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin the process of releasing public records related to law enforcement’s response to the Uvalde school shooting, granting a request by The Texas Tribune and other news organizations. Over a dozen news organizations sued DPS last year, accusing it of unlawfully withholding the records related to the May shooting at Robb Elementary School. The records concern the botched police response, during which officers waited over an hour to confront the shooter who killed 19 children and [...]

Judge says DPS must release documents related to Uvalde shooting responseFOIFT2023-06-30T08:39:44-05:00

Former Angelina County judge found guilty of violating Open Meetings Act

FOIFT2023-06-28T16:32:42-05:00

By KTRE Digital Media Staff Originally published June 28, 2023 LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - A former Angelina County judge has been found guilty of violating the open meetings act following his trial. Don Lymbery, the former Angelina County judge, was indicted in March 2022 along with two other county authorities in connection with violating the open meeting act. The charge stems from an Aug. 9, 2021, meeting of the three men in Lymbery’s office. Lymbery denied any wrongdoing, claiming the conversation between the three did not include county business and added that he had to leave his office for an interview [...]

Former Angelina County judge found guilty of violating Open Meetings ActFOIFT2023-06-28T16:32:42-05:00

Law closing police loophole in Public Information Act to take effect Sept. 1

FOIFT2023-07-07T14:37:30-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas A loophole in the Texas Public Information Act that many law enforcement departments use to withhold records when someone dies in police custody will be closed with a new law taking effect Sept. 1. House Bill 30 by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, passed both the Texas House and Senate and resulted in a compromise bill that won final approval in both chambers. Gov. Greg Abbott allowed it to become law without his signature as his veto period ended Sunday, June 18. No longer will police departments be able to [...]

Law closing police loophole in Public Information Act to take effect Sept. 1FOIFT2023-07-07T14:37:30-05:00

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News