Open Government Champions: Former teacher, Austin activist effectively uses Texas Public Information Act
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of opinion pieces on legislators and other Texans who are openly committed to sustaining government transparency and accountability. The articles are being prepared and distributed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association. By Dave Montgomery As an elementary school teacher more than a decade ago, Zenobia Joseph often found herself wondering why students entered her [...]
Senators vow to fight confidential agreements they had to sign before viewing vote complaints
By Nicole Cobler San Antonio Express-News Originally published Feb. 9, 2017 AUSTIN — Two Texas senators are promising to fight confidential agreements they signed before being allowed to view voter fraud complaints reported to the secretary of state’s office. Their plan to make the information public follows newly nominated Secretary of State Rolando Pablos’ declaration in a Senate committee hearing last week that “there is voter fraud in Texas, and [...]
Texas Supreme Court ruling expands government exception for attorney-client privilege
By Chuck Lindell Austin American Statesman Originally published Feb. 3, 2017 In another decision that has alarmed open government advocates, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday carved out a special exception for public access to government information involving communication with lawyers. The 7-2 ruling said protecting attorney-client privilege is too important to force governments to disclose such information, even if the Texas Public Information Act’s requirements aren’t followed. Attorney-client privilege [...]
Texas clerks look to derail web-based public access to court records
By Ryan Autullo Austin American-Statesman Originally published Jan. 30, 2017 Texas court clerks are resisting a state proposal they say would strip them of their constitutional authority by making court documents available online for easy public access. The statewide database, re:SearchTX, holds records from all 254 counties and is backed by the state’s Supreme Court. It currently is used by judges and soon will be available to attorneys and the public [...]
Texas Supreme Court denies Wallace Hall’s bid for UT records
By Chuck Lindell Austin American Statesman Originally published Jan. 27, 2017 University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall Jr. is not entitled to confidential records of an investigation into UT admissions, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday. The unanimous court ruled that Chancellor Bill McRaven did not exceed his authority in denying the records to Hall over concerns that access to private student information would violate the federal Family Educational [...]
Watson, Capriglione: Close loopholes in the state Public Information Act
By Kirk Watson and Giovanni Capriglione Published by the Houston Chronicle Jan. 26, 2017 After the Sharpstown fraud and bribery scandal rocked the Texas Capitol in the early 1970s, Texans opted to "throw the rascals out" and elect a reform-minded Legislature to clean up the mess. A cornerstone of the 63rd Legislature's reform agenda was the Public Information Act of 1973, which empowered the people to see what their government [...]
State water conference raises open meetings questions
By Jo Clifton Austin Monitor Originally published Jan. 24, 2017 An attorney for the nonprofit League of Independent Voters of Texas warned the Texas Water Development Board on Sunday that the agency was in jeopardy of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. However, by the end of the day Monday, it appeared that the agency and the nonprofit had reached an accommodation. The board is sponsoring a conference about water [...]
‘Textbook case’ of evading open meetings law in El Paso
By Elida S. Perez El Paso Times Originally published Jan. 19, 2017 Text messages between Mayor Oscar Leeser and city Rep. Jim Tolbert clearly show that City Council members violated state law when they cycled in and out of a closed-door meeting to discuss alternative sites for a planned $180 million Downtown arena, a Texas open government expert said. Tolbert texted Leeser on the same day that the mayor and [...]
UT Regent Hall’s attorney faces tough questions over records in Texas Supreme Court hearing
By Matthew Watkins The Texas Tribune Originally published Jan. 11, 2017 A lawyer for University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall faced tough questioning Wednesday from state Supreme Court justices over whether he should be allowed to see confidential student admissions records that the UT System chancellor has denied him. Four of the nine justices in particular drilled down into Hall's argument that he needs the information to fulfill his [...]
State Bar seeks entries for 2017 Texas Gavel Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 9, 2017 Contact Amy Starnes, State Bar of Texas (800) 204-2222, ext. 1706, or (512) 427-1706 [email protected] AUSTIN — Submissions are sought for the 2017 Texas Gavel Awards, which honor outstanding journalism that fosters public understanding of the legal system. Entries published or broadcast during the 2016 calendar year will be accepted for print, broadcast, and online categories until 5 p.m. April 3. There is no [...]
Texas news organizations cover legislative efforts to strengthen Public Information Act
On Tuesday, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, filed legislation to strengthen the Texas Public Information Act and repair damage done by to the law two 2015 Texas Supreme Court rulings. News organizations around the state have written news stories and editorials on the legislative efforts. Here are some of the reports: The Dallas Morning News Fort Worth Star-Telegram Austin American-Statesman McAllen Monitor Spectrum News, Austin KXAN-TV, [...]
Watson, Capriglione bills close loopholes in open records law
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Kate Alexander, Office of Sen. Kirk Watson: (512) 463-0114 Courtney Roberts, Office of Rep. Giovanni Capriglione: (512) 463-0690 Watson, Capriglione bills close loopholes in open records law Texas Rep. Giovanni Capriglione and Sen. Kirk Watson filed two pieces of identical legislation on Tuesday to close loopholes in the Public Information Act that were created by recent Texas Supreme Court rulings. "Taxpayers have [...]
Open Government Champions: Hunter’s commitment to First Amendment, open government runs deep
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of opinion pieces on legislators and other Texans who are openly committed to sustaining government transparency and accountability. The articles are being prepared and distributed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association. By Dave Montgomery After 15 years in the Texas Legislature, Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi has distinguished himself as a relentless defender [...]
Former Smith County judge to pay fine in Open Meetings Act violation
By Cody Lillich KLTV Originally published Dec. 12, 2016 Former East Texas County judge Joel Baker entered a no contest plea deal Monday on one of the three charges brought against him. Two of the other counts were dismissed per the deal. Baker must pay a $200 fine as a part of the agreement. The trial for the former Smith County judge ended before it even began Monday in a [...]
Support FOI Foundation’s free speech, open government mission in this week’s fundraiser
We're making an online push this week to increase support for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and its mission of promoting the First Amendment and open government. The public's right to know is crucial to our democracy. We cannot make decisions about how we are governed and who should lead us if we don't have information about our government. The FOI Foundation of Texas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) [...]
Texas Monthly: Texas has a transparency problem
By Leif Reigstad Texas Monthly Originally published Dec. 5, 2016 Texas received a grade of D- in the Center for Public Integrity‘s state rankings for accountability and transparency last November, including an F in the “public access to information” category. And the Lone Star State certainly didn’t do anything to improve its performance in 2016. This year state agencies have blocked public access to information regarding everything from small oddities to some of the most [...]
City of East Mountain faces lawsuit claiming Texas Public Information Act violation
By Christina Lane Longview News-Journal Originally published Dec. 2, 2016 A new lawsuit filed against the city of East Mountain claims it violated the Texas Public Information Act. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the Upshur County Clerk's Office by Lester Glover, an East Mountain resident who has lived in the city since April 2012. In the lawsuit, Glover is seeking for a court to order the city to deliver [...]
Support FOI Foundation of Texas mission on Giving Tuesday
It's Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving to support the important work of non-profits. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is taking part and invites you to join our mission of advocating for open government and the First Amendment rights of free speech and press. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution today to our 501(c)(3) non-profit. We depend on donations from individuals, organizations and businesses. Contributions can be made [...]
Texas blows grant for funds to combat opioids, tries to keep records secret
By Edgard Walters and Isabelle Taft The Texas Tribune Originally published Nov. 20, 2016 Faced with a rising death toll from opioid abuse, Texas public health officials in May decided to apply for a $1 million federal grant to purchase Naloxone, a drug that, if administered during an overdose, can save the life of a person addicted to heroin or pain pills. The Texas Department of State Health Services hired an outside grant [...]
Katy ISD trustees: Freedom of speech restricted by school board
By Sebastian Herrera Houston Chronicle Originally published Nov. 13, 2016 Two trustees on the Katy school board believe their First Amendment rights are being infringed by a written board procedure that only allows the board president to speak to the media. The long-standing procedure suggests that elected officials should filter information to the public and act as a unified voice despite different opinions on district matters. It is scheduled to [...]