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Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details

2015-09-25T14:09:47-05:00

By Aman Batheja The Texas Tribune Originally published Sept. 25, 2015 Over the objections of Attorney General Ken Paxton's office, the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling in June making it easier for private companies to keep secret details of their contracts with the state of Texas and local governments, a move that public information advocates warn is ripe for abuse. In a 7-1 opinion, the justices ordered Paxton's office to block the release of some information contained in a lease between Boeing and the Port Authority of San Antonio because the aerospace manufacturer said making the details public could prove [...]

Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details2015-09-25T14:09:47-05:00

Rep. Todd Hunter, FOIFT leaders talk open government with journalists at Sunshine Week briefing

2015-03-18T22:37:29-05:00

Journalists met with leaders of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, for a Sunshine Week briefing Wednesday on open government legislation pending at the state Capitol. "There's nothing wrong with providing public information," Hunter said, urging news reporters to educate their audience on "the positiveness and the common sense of these laws." Also speaking at the briefing at the Austin American-Statesman were FOI Foundation of Texas legislative co-chairs Laura Prather and Arif Panju. The foundation is tracking scores of bills this session that would improve public access to government information or, in some cases, [...]

Rep. Todd Hunter, FOIFT leaders talk open government with journalists at Sunshine Week briefing2015-03-18T22:37:29-05:00

Senate panel votes to classify private university police records as public

2015-03-17T20:40:09-05:00

Following violent incidents involving private university police officers, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would classify those campus police records as public information. The committee voted 5-0 in favor of sending Senate Bill 308 by Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, to the full Senate. Robert Arnold, a reporter for KPRC-TV in Houston who reported on a videotaped beating of a man by Rice University police, testified on the bill. The 2013 beating was captured on a dash camera that Rice police refused to fully release to the public. The proposed legislation would make such records obtainable under the [...]

Senate panel votes to classify private university police records as public2015-03-17T20:40:09-05:00

FOI Foundation of Texas to hold annual conference Sept. 17

2015-02-11T16:52:58-06:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will hold its annual state conference on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency in Austin, so mark your calendars and plan to attend. The conference is open to all who are interested in open government, free speech and a free press. More details are coming soon on the daylong event, including registration information and the meeting agenda. You can be sure we'll provide updates on newly passed open government legislation and have lively discussions on the important FOI issues of the day. Stay tuned to our website for more information in the [...]

FOI Foundation of Texas to hold annual conference Sept. 172015-02-11T16:52:58-06:00

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
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