Lawsuit seeks to reveal source of Texas execution drug
The Dallas Morning News From Wire Reports Originally published March 26, 2014 HOUSTON — Attorneys for two Texas inmates facing execution next month with a new batch of pentobarbital obtained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice filed a lawsuit Wednesday demanding the prison agency disclose the identity of the new supplier. The petition filed in state court in Austin also sought an emergency order requiring state authorities to identify when the [...]
After six years, UT law professor to gain access to previously withheld border information
By Christine Breitbeil The Daily Texan Originally published March 25, 2014 Six years after her initial request for public records regarding federally built fences along the Texas-Mexico border, UT law professor Denise Gilman has passed a significant barrier in receiving the documents. On March 14, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the government must disclose names and addresses of those affected by the border wall due to possible [...]
Big Bend Sentinel reporter subpoenaed; defense attorney cites shield law, First Amendment rights
By Alberto Tomas Halpern Big Bend Sentinel Originally published March 20, 2014 PRESIDIO and JEFF DAVIS COUNTIES – Investigators have served a Big Bend Sentinel reporter with a subpoena in the Prada Marfa vandalism case. But Texas’ journalist shield law requires certain tests and measures be met before a journalist can be compelled to disclose information. The alleged vandal, a guerilla artist known only as 9271977, was arrested on Tuesday [...]
FOI Foundation to host Open Government Seminar in Houston
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will soon host an Open Government Seminar in Houston featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on April 30. It is designed for government employees, journalists and members of the general public who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information [...]
Juvenile judge refuses to release murder case transcripts
By Mitch Mitchell Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published March 20, 2014 FORT WORTH — After twice barring the media from court hearings in a murder case involving a juvenile, state district Judge Jean Boyd on Thursday denied a request to make records from that case public. Tarrant County prosecutor Riley Shaw requested that she issue written findings of fact that she used to support the ruling. Boyd did not comment [...]
Sunshine Week: The Eagle reports on Texas universities and open records
By Allen Reed The Bryan-College Station Eagle Originally published March 18, 2014 It's Sunshine Week, so let's look at how many information requests were sent to the top universities in Texas last year and how many of those are referred to the Texas attorney general. In February, The Eagle asked the six university systems and their flagship institutions for “the number of information requests received during the 2013 calendar year [...]
Judge rules in favor of Dallas Morning News, says agency must answer open records request
Attorneys for The Dallas Morning News have obtained a declaration that a North Texas agency is subject to the Texas Public Information Act and must answer an open records request by the newspaper. Judge Eric Moyé of the 14th District Court in Dallas entered a final judgment on a counterclaim by The News, according to the newspaper's attorneys at the law firm Jackson Walker. The newspaper requested information about the [...]
Dallas Morning News: Transparency is hope for citizens, foil for officeholders
The Dallas Morning News Editorial Originally published March 18, 2014 There is not a crime, there is not a dodge, there is not a trick, there is not a swindle, there is not a vice which does not live by secrecy.” Joseph Pulitzer This is Sunshine Week, a time to celebrate and advocate for truth and transparency. And although our iWorld of websites, smartphones and laptops might be unrecognizable to [...]
Sunshine Week: Public should demand online access to public information
By Emily Shaw Sunlight Foundation Originally published March 12, 2014, on sunshineweek.org This week is Sunshine Week, a nationwide discussion about the importance of access to public information and what it means for you and your community. During this week we pay special attention to our collective obligation to bring some “sunshine” to the often shadowy processes of government decision-making. Different governments have different ways of inhibiting effective oversight of [...]
Sunshine Week: FOIFT’s Light of Day Project provides data reporting training
College students in the Light of Day reporting project funded by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas are getting data reporting training this spring through Investigative Reporters and Editors. The first session with IRE trainer Jaimi Dowdell took place Feb. 6 at Texas State University. The second session is this week with Tarleton State students. (Shown in photo, Texas State students of instructor Kym Fox after their training, each [...]
Travis commissioner accused of deleting requested texts, emails
By Farzad Mashhood and Ben Wear Austin American-Statesman Originally published March 17, 2014 An environmental group filed a criminal complaint Monday alleging Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty unlawfully deleted text messages and emails that concerned county business, including some communications about the controversial Texas 45 Southwest tollway project. The Save Our Springs Alliance asked Travis County Attorney David Escamilla to investigate the matter as a possible violation of open records [...]
Sunshine Week: FOIA a powerful tool for journalists
By Jason Leopold Investigative Reporter Originally published March 7, 2014, on sunshineweek.org A few years ago, I met a longtime source at a local coffee shop in Los Angeles. He said he needed to break some news to me. I thought it was going to be something juicy. Perhaps he was ready to share some inside information about drones or surveillance or Guantanamo, topics that I report on. Nope. My [...]
Sunshine Week: Denton Record-Chronicle evaluates officeholders’ financial disclosures
By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published March 15, 2014 Personal financial statements can offer clues to the financial interests of local officials and improve government transparency — that is, if more residents had a clue about how to find them. The little-known and rarely accessed statements contain potentially valuable disclosures from select public officials about their own property holdings, stocks and bonds, outside business interests or employment, even gifts [...]
Report, Texas lawmakers call on Obama for transparency
By Daniel Lathrop The Dallas Morning News Originally published March 11, 2014 Following a nonpartisan study, Texas lawmakers from both political parties are calling on the Obama administration to provide the public with better access to information collected by the federal government. A report Monday by the liberal Center for Effective Government found that only four of the 15 federal agencies that receive the most requests for public information deserved [...]
FOIFT announces call for entries for 2014 Spirit of FOI Award
AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is now accepting entries for the 2014 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award recognizing outstanding journalism efforts upholding First Amendment principles and open government. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, April 15. Nominations published in calendar year 2013 can be a single news story or series, an editorial or series of editorials, columns, editorial cartoons or a community FOI project. [...]
Weslaco commissioners plead not guilty to Open Meetings Act charges
By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Originally published March 6, 2014 EDINBURG — Weslaco city commissioners argued Thursday that they did not violate theTexas Open Meetings Act during a controversial November meeting. Mayor Pro Tem John Cuellar, commissioners David Fox, Lupe Rivera and Jerry Tafolla and former Commissioner Joe Martinez appeared before 139thstate District Judge Bobby Flores Thursday. All entered pleas of “not guilty.” A grand jury last week indicted the five commissioners and they [...]
FOIFT honors Robert and Maureen Decherd with John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue
AUSTIN - Robert and Maureen Decherd have been selected as recipients of the John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue in honor of their dedication to community service, open government and the First Amendment. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on outstanding Texans who represent the best traditions of civic involvement and enlightened philanthropy. The award is named for author, humorist and broadcaster John Henry [...]
Snowden to speak at South by Southwest via video
By Richard Whittaker The Austin Chronicle Originally published March 4, 2014 Hero to some, villain to others: SXSW Interactive has just announced that Edward Snowden will be part of a videoconferenced conversation with the American Civil Liberties Union's chief technologist, Christopher Soghoian. In what is sure to be one of the most heavily anticipated and controversial discussions, Snowden will talk about his views on surveillance culture, the NSA, and what [...]
Victoria Advocate editor on FOIFT and the public’s right to know
By Chris Cobler Editor The Victoria Advocate Originally published March 3, 2014 The Calhoun County Republican Club invited me to speak Monday about an organization near and dear to my heart, the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Many thanks to them for being such a welcoming and engaged audience. Here is a copy of my prepared remarks: I am honored to speak on behalf of the Freedom of Information [...]
Indictments filed against Weslaco commissioners over alleged open meetings violation
By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Published Feb. 25-26, 2014 Update on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 11:52 am: Documents unsealed this morning have confirmed indictments against several Weslaco commissioners. Lupe Rivera, John Cuellar, David Fox, Joe Martinez and Jerry Tafolla are accused of defying the Texas Open Meetings Act after having kicked the public out of a meeting. A judge set personal recognizance bonds at $2,500. --- Published Feb. 25, 2014, [...]