Transparency

FOI experts share tips for smoother access to public information

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:44-05:00

By Kelley Shannon FOI Foundation of Texas Executive Director ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The National Freedom of Information Coalition Summit this week featured a discussion with journalists, attorneys and open government advocates on how to write better public information requests and how to overcome barriers to access. Participating panelists were Florida journalist Kris Hundley; Thomas Susman, director of governmental affairs for the American Bar Association; Shane Shifflett, developer of FOIA Machine; and Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida. Here's a quick look at some of their tips: -When seeking a government document in electronic format, specify that [...]

FOI experts share tips for smoother access to public informationFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:44-05:00

State fights release of race records

FOIFT2014-10-23T13:15:39-05:00

By Jay Root Texas Tribune Originally published Oct. 22, 2014 The Texas Department of Insurance is fighting The Texas Tribune’s request for records that could shed light on why it has failed to collect racial data on injured workers, despite a 1993 law that requires it. On behalf of its Division of Workers’ Compensation, the department is citing numerous exemptions to state transparency laws and has asked Attorney General Greg Abbott, the Republican candidate for governor, to keep the documents secret. Earlier this month, the Tribune revealed that the state has not compiled useful racial statistics on injured workers for several years, [...]

State fights release of race recordsFOIFT2014-10-23T13:15:39-05:00

Police records: Are Amarilloans in the dark on crime?

FOIFT2014-10-13T15:15:07-05:00

By Russell Anglin and Matt Hutchison Amarillo Globe-News Originally published Oct. 11, 2014 On most days at the Amarillo Police Department, someone sifts through a maze of reports determining what the public should know about crime in the city. After the department determines what’s “newsworthy,” a summary is written about those incidents — usually 10 to 20 a week — and made available to the public. So who’s making the decisions on what the public should and shouldn’t know about police activities and crime? When it comes to police information, it’s Amarillo police officers themselves who determine what will be reported [...]

Police records: Are Amarilloans in the dark on crime?FOIFT2014-10-13T15:15:07-05:00

Accident witness: Officer threatened to take cell phone for taking photos

FOIFT2014-10-10T13:45:46-05:00

By Deborah McKeon Temple Daily Telegram Originally published Oct. 9, 2014 A Temple resident who witnessed an accident in which two men died on Thursday night said a Temple Police officer threatened to take his cellphone away because he was taking photographs and video. Sean Ramirez said the officer threatened to take his cellphone away if he didn’t stop taking pictures, so Ramirez said he stopped and started recording instead. The same officer started yelling at him again to turn off his phone before it was taken from him, so Ramirez went across the street to take the final photo, he [...]

Accident witness: Officer threatened to take cell phone for taking photosFOIFT2014-10-10T13:45:46-05:00

Greg Abbott facing questions on open government

FOIFT2014-10-07T14:26:15-05:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 4, 2014 Greg Abbott was the toast of open government advocates early in his 12-year tenure as attorney general, but recent decisions in favor of tighter secrecy have prompted some to re-evaluate his commitment to transparency. Since May, Abbott’s agency has reversed policy by allowing Texas to keep secret the source of its execution drugs and withhold inventory reports listing businesses that stockpile dangerous chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, the compound that exploded in the town of West, killing 15 in 2013. Abbott’s Democratic opponent in the race for governor, Wendy Davis, recently questioned [...]

Greg Abbott facing questions on open governmentFOIFT2014-10-07T14:26:15-05:00

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