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Support FOI on Giving Tuesday

FOIFT2019-12-03T14:39:20-06:00

Help us promote open government and protect the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. Make a donation to the FOI Foundation of Texas on "Giving Tuesday," Dec. 3, a global day of contributing to non-profits.Your contribution supports programming across the Lone Star State including regional open government seminars we will host during 2020. The first one is set for Feb. 25 in Corpus Christi. More details are coming soon.We are also revamping and expanding our "Light of Day" outreach to students and closely monitoring the impact of newly enacted transparency laws.Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and are accepted online or by mailing a check [...]

Support FOI on Giving TuesdayFOIFT2019-12-03T14:39:20-06:00

The inauguration of Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick cost millions. Much of it went to fundraising and staff.

FOIFT2019-11-25T16:05:42-06:00

By Shannon Najmabadi and Jay RootThe Texas TribuneOriginally published Nov. 18, 2019 Spending on each of the last two inaugurations eclipsed that of any other in Texas for at least 40 years, even when adjusted for inflation. A spokesman for the governor has said no state dollars were spent on the festivities. The money spent on personnel, including payroll and fundraising, has skyrocketed during Gov. Greg Abbott's two swearing-in celebrations, dwarfing spending in those categories during the Rick Perry era, which spanned more than a decade, according to records obtained by The Texas Tribune. Read the full story here.

The inauguration of Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick cost millions. Much of it went to fundraising and staff.FOIFT2019-11-25T16:05:42-06:00

Some public officials confused over new law allowing public comment at meetings

FOIFT2019-11-11T21:33:12-06:00

By Steve MillerThe Texas MonitorOriginally published Nov. 7, 2019 The Amarillo City Council once tried to ban clapping at its meetings, then decided to start meeting at 7 a.m., a move some local critics claimed was done to reduce public input. Finally, last year, the council moved all public comments to a work session an hour before the regular meeting. In South Texas, Hidalgo County commissioners and the city councils of Pharr, Mercedes and Donna elected to completely halt public comment at meetings. So did the City of McAllen, where council members claimed that someone could get sued over remarks made by [...]

Some public officials confused over new law allowing public comment at meetingsFOIFT2019-11-11T21:33:12-06:00

New SMU law clinic to focus on First Amendment

FOIFT2019-10-22T17:30:57-05:00

DALLAS – The SMU Dedman School of Law will launch a First Amendment Clinic in Fall 2020, thanks to a generous gift of $900,000 from the Stanton Foundation. The clinic will focus on First Amendment issues including free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly and petition. First Amendment attorney Tom Leatherbury, a partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP, will serve as an adjunct professor and direct the clinic. This funding will cover the core operating expenses of the clinic for five years. Read the full story from SMU.

New SMU law clinic to focus on First AmendmentFOIFT2019-10-22T17:30:57-05:00

Texas Tribune suing to see receipts for $5.3 million Texas inauguration

FOIFT2019-10-10T21:22:11-05:00

By Jay Root and Shannon NajmabadiThe Texas TribuneOriginally published Oct. 9, 2019 The Texas Tribune is suing to discover what happened to millions raised mostly from top lobbying firms, corporations, wealthy businesspeople and trade groups for the inauguration of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Read the full story here.

Texas Tribune suing to see receipts for $5.3 million Texas inaugurationFOIFT2019-10-10T21:22:11-05:00

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