Transparency

When seeking public records, know your rights, responsibilities

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:40-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas If you’ve seen news reports on suspicious state contracts or chemical waste pits or officials’ text messages in the Waco biker shootout, you may notice a recurring theme: Government records obtained through the Texas Public Information Act. Fortunately, our state’s public information law, created in the early 1970s, presumes government records are open unless a specific exemption in the law keeps the documents off limits. The public has a right to know. That means all citizens - not only journalists - can access government records. “It’s very easy,” said award-winning [...]

When seeking public records, know your rights, responsibilitiesFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:40-05:00

Depositions expose Austin public information flaws

FOIFT2015-11-10T19:41:07-06:00

By Ken Martin The Austin Bulldog Originally published Nov. 9, 2015 “The City of Austin is committed to an open and transparent government. I believe this is an integral part of maintaining a vital and robust democracy.” — City Manager Marc Ott Marc OttOtt published this oft-repeated pledge in an April 8, 2015, memo titled “City of Austin Open Data Initiative 2.0.” Yet, the City has failed to consistently live up to that commitment. By actual performance the City has demonstrated that it receives and routes public information requests to departments or offices thought to have the applicable records but fails [...]

Depositions expose Austin public information flawsFOIFT2015-11-10T19:41:07-06:00

State Integrity Investigation gives Texas an F in public information access

FOIFT2015-11-09T16:09:27-06:00

The latest State Integrity Investigation conducted by the non-profit Center for Public Integrity gives Texas a D- overall and an F in public access to information. Veteran Texas journalist David Montgomery conducted the study for our state. Read the news story and see the rankings on the CPI or Texas Tribune websites.

State Integrity Investigation gives Texas an F in public information accessFOIFT2015-11-09T16:09:27-06:00

Speaker Straus’ interim charges address transparency, access to information

FOIFT2015-11-04T21:53:40-06:00

AUSTIN - Texas House Speaker Joe Straus issued interim charges Wednesday for issues lawmakers will study before the 2017 legislative session, and several address government transparency and public information. Legislators will examine the transparency of state purchasing; public information held outside of control of a governmental body; repetitious requests made under the Texas Public Information Act; and dissemination of criminal records containing inaccurate or incomplete information. Among other items related to public information are a study of police body camera best policies and practices and a look at whether provisions in a body camera law passed this year need to be [...]

Speaker Straus’ interim charges address transparency, access to informationFOIFT2015-11-04T21:53:40-06:00

City commission: State law on body cameras raises privacy questions

FOIFT2015-11-04T14:26:57-06:00

By Nicole Chavez Austin American-Statesman Originally published Nov. 3, 2015 As the Austin Police Department continues to prepare the launch of its body-worn camera program, the city’s Public Safety Commission is worried state law may not provide enough guidance on how to protect victims’ privacy. The law, which was discussed during the commission’s meeting Monday, includes several rules addressing the release of any recordings to the public: It says that footage recorded in a private space, such a home or a business, should only be made public with the consent of those who showed in the video. It also requires anyone [...]

City commission: State law on body cameras raises privacy questionsFOIFT2015-11-04T14:26:57-06:00

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