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FOIA improvement bill by Cornyn, Leahy clears Senate Judiciary Committee

2014-11-20T17:52:56-06:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director FOI Foundation of Texas The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a Freedom of Information Act improvement bill Thursday that makes several updates to the landmark federal right-to-know law. The next step for the measure by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, is a vote in the full Senate. Many of the bill's provisions were included in legislation that already unanimously passed the House. Open government groups across the country, including the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, are urging passage of the act so it will be sent to President Obama before the [...]

FOIA improvement bill by Cornyn, Leahy clears Senate Judiciary Committee2014-11-20T17:52:56-06:00

Austin man acquitted in misdemeanor case stemming from photographing police

2014-10-30T13:34:10-05:00

By Jazmine Ulloa Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 29, 2014 In likely the most hotly contested misdemeanor trial in Austin’s recent history, a panel of five city jurors on Wednesday handed activist Antonio Buehler a legal victory, deliberating nearly six hours before acquitting him of failing to comply with the order of an officer in a controversial arrest on New Year’s Day 2012. Buehler, a 37-year-old Army veteran and outspoken founder of the Peaceful Streets Project, had been facing a fine of up $500 for the offense, which stemmed from his refusal to put his arms behind his back as he [...]

Austin man acquitted in misdemeanor case stemming from photographing police2014-10-30T13:34:10-05:00

Open records request shows Texas football team drug testing rate doubled under Charlie Strong

2014-09-25T18:55:56-05:00

By Brian Davis Austin American-Statesman Originally published Sept. 24, 2014 The number of drug tests administered to University of Texas football players has skyrocketed under first-year coach Charlie Strong, according to university data obtained by the American-Statesman through an open records request. According to university records, an average of 104 tests were administered annually to football players from 2010 to 2013, the last four years under former coach Mack Brown. A total of 188 tests were administered the first eight months this year under Strong. At an annualized rate, that’s more than double the previous four years. Subscribers to the American-Statesman can [...]

Open records request shows Texas football team drug testing rate doubled under Charlie Strong2014-09-25T18:55:56-05:00

Texas Gavel Award winners announced; recipients to be honored at Sept. 12 FOIFT conference

2014-07-24T18:48:08-05:00

The State Bar of Texas has announced the winners of the 2014 Texas Gavel Awards honoring journalism that deepens the public's understanding of the legal system. The recipients will receive their awards at a Sept. 12 luncheon as part of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference at the Hilton Austin. For information on registering for the luncheon and conference, click here. The full State Bar press release, distributed July 23, can be viewed here. The Gavel Award winners are listed below by award category, along with short descriptions of their entries. Print, Major Metro: Brantley Hargrove, Dallas Observer, is [...]

Texas Gavel Award winners announced; recipients to be honored at Sept. 12 FOIFT conference2014-07-24T18:48:08-05:00

Federal court applies Texas anti-SLAPP statute for first time

2014-06-20T19:57:50-05:00

CORPUS CHRISTI _ A federal judge has given a big boost to Texas' anti-SLAPP statute by granting a South Texas television station's motion to dismiss and applying the state law in federal court for the first time. The state law adopted in 2011 was designed to thwart malicious or frivolous lawsuits that aim to chill free speech, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP lawsuits. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos dismissed a challenge to the anti-SLAPP statute and the argument that it was a procedural rule that conflicted with federal rules. Ramos held that the statute creates a [...]

Federal court applies Texas anti-SLAPP statute for first time2014-06-20T19:57:50-05:00

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    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

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