Universities might have to limit monitoring, set social media policies in stone under proposal
By Jody Serrano American-Statesman Staff Originally published Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 In an age when voluntarily sharing one’s intimate information on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites is common, a proposal to limit what content universities have access to seems out of step. But state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, said there should be a limit to the power university administrators have over students in Texas, where there is no [...]
Open books on legislative pensions
By Editorial Board, Austin American-Statesman Originally posted Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 Asked if she recalls voting on bills that would keep Texas taxpayers from knowing how much is spent on legislative pensions, State Rep. Donna Howard replied that she doesn’t. Howard, an Austin Democrat who took office in 2006, wryly noted that the legislation to deprive voters of such information wouldn’t have been announced in big, bold letters well in [...]
Transparency buzz elicits some action at the Capitol
By Tim Eaton Austin American-Statesman Staff Originally published February 9, 2013 Should Texans know how much the state pays lawmakers in retirement? Is it OK for private foundations to supplement the salaries of state workers? Would government work better if voters knew how much debt it had before they are asked to approve more? These and other questions about government transparency have been bouncing around the state Capitol in recent [...]
More heat than light from CPRIT hearings
By Laylan Copelin American-Statesman Staff Originally published Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 There is always bit of a lynch mob mentality when Texas lawmakers go after a Capitol scandal. So it was last week for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the small state agency created to manage a $3 billion, 10-year effort to fund scientists and organizations looking for cures and treatments for various cancers. Lawmakers had “invited” [...]
Transparency buzz elicits some action at the Capitol
By Tim Eaton, American-Statesman Staff Originally posted Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 Should Texans know how much the state pays lawmakers in retirement? Is it OK for private foundations to supplement the salaries of state workers? Would government work better if voters knew how much debt it had before they are asked to approve more? These and other questions about government transparency have been bouncing around the state Capitol in recent [...]
Advocates hope this is the year for tighter ethics laws at Texas Capitol
By Kelley Shannon Austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News [email protected] Originally published 08 February 2013 AUSTIN — Dozens of new lawmakers, voter frustration with government and conflict-of-interest questions at a cancer-fighting agency could make conditions ripe for changes in Texas ethics laws this year. Ethics watchdogs and legislators who want to limit lobbying by former lawmakers and expand financial disclosures for public officials acknowledge it won’t be easy, but they hope [...]
Senator seeks DA’s help in fight over cancer records
By Laylan Copelin American-Statesman Staff Originally published Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, has asked Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg to intervene in Davis’ attempt to obtain records from a foundation supporting the state’s troubled cancer agency. Davis filed a civil complaint Friday, asking Lehmberg to determine that the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Foundation is a government body subject to the state’s [...]
State senator calls for state audit of LCRA
By Asher Price American-Statesman Staff Originally published Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 A state senator whose district includes the Highland Lakes filed legislation Friday that would require the state auditor to review the books and operations of the Lower Colorado River Authority. State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, has frequently warred with the nonprofit, quasi-state utility, which sells water and electricity used in the homes of more than a million Central [...]
“Transparency is good, even if not always useful”
By MIKE NORMAN [email protected] Originally posted Thursday, Feb. 07, 2013 There was irony all over the place just outside the Senate Chamber in Austin Thursday as some top state leaders announced proposed legislation to force greater transparency in Texas local government finances. The Legislature is not always the most transparent government body, nor are many of its members averse to hiding what they don’t want known. Take this from House [...]
TOMA case may get Supreme Court review – “We’re Only Challenging Jail Time”
By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN Originally posted January 10th, 2013 WASHINGTON, DC – The legal drama over the Texas Open Meetings Act has taken another turn as attorneys on behalf of the plaintiffs suing Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott have filed a petition to have the Supreme Court of the United States review the case. Plaintiff’s attorneys filed the petition for writ of certiorari on Thursday, December 20, seeking the Supreme [...]
Workshop on Public Information/Open Meetings to be held in Fort Worth
September 12, 2012 The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas will hold the fourth of five 2012 Open Government seminars around the state in Fort Worth. The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, September 28, at the Tarrant County College Trinity East Campus (Jones Street and Belknap Street) located at 245 E. Belknap (Room 1050, [...]
James Madison Award 2011 Recipient Announced
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Monday, August 1, 2011: The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will present the 2011 James Madison Award on August 12, in Austin, Texas, to Evan Smith, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Tribune. As an original co-founder and the guiding force behind the Tribune, Smith has made the online nonprofit news site an indispensable and highly regarded source of state government news. A committed believer [...]
Freedom of Information Foundation will hold annual conference in Austin
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Friday, July 22, 2011: After the recent legislative session, many open government advocates feel embattled and in a constant struggle to at least maintain the status quo. DOB’s (dates of birth) of governmental employees will no longer be considered a “public record,” and in most cases photographs of police officers are off limits. And, at a time when Governor Rick Perry is escalating his cross-country travel, as [...]
Texas Lawmakers Pledge Support of Open Government
AUSTIN, FEBRUARY 15 – Nearly 20 percent of elected state officials voluntarily signed a Texas Open Government Pledge, which is a promise to uphold the letter and spirit of the state’s open government laws. “We applaud these lawmakers for demonstrating their commitment to ensure the public’s right to know,” said Keith Elkins, Executive Director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT). “As far as I know,” Elkins added, “this [...]
FOIFT Collaborates with Texas Tribune on Light of Day Project
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas joining forces with award-winning online news site The Texas Tribune to conduct a statewide project for journalism students. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that educates and advocates for open government and First Amendment issues, announced today that they have partnered with the Texas Tribune to implement the Light of Day Project. Founded six years ago, the Light of [...]
Freedom of Information Foundation to Hold Annual FOI Conference In Austin
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will hold its 2010 Bernard and Audre Raporport State Conference on Friday, August 13 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin. This year’s theme is Open Government: Navigating Digital Dangers. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will be the conference’s Luncheon Keynote Speaker. The highlight of Friday’s program will be the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon and the presentation of the James Madison Award to [...]
Big Spring Lawsuit for Alleged TOMA Violation
February 18, 2010 The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is pleased to assist the Concerned Citizens Council of Big Spring – Howard County in the filing of a lawsuit against the City of Big Spring, challenging a decision made during an illegal meeting under the Texas Open Meetings Act and asking for a tax rollback election as a remedy. “We are in Big Spring today not to tell local [...]
Race for Governor: Democratic Primary Debate
February 8, 2010 DALLAS/FORT WORTH: Leading Democratic candidates in the primary race for Texas governor convene for their first live debate on Monday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. The Texas Debates: Race for Governor will broadcast to millions statewide on public and commercial television and radio and online at www.TexasDebates.org. The debate includes former Houston Mayor Bill White and Texas businessman Farouk Shami. Final determination regarding other potential debate participants [...]
Big Lake TOMA
January 21, 2010 The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas applauds the brave, courageous and responsible action taken by the Big Lake City Council earlier this week. During Tuesday night’s council meeting that governing body voted to remove its name from a federal lawsuit filed by the City of Alpine challenging the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). It is one of the first named plaintiffs to pass such a resolution. [...]
Race for Governor: Republican Primary Debate
December 21, 2009 DALLAS/FORT WORTH: Republican candidates in the highly anticipated Texas gubernatorial race will square off in The Texas Debates: Race for Governor on Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. The live debate broadcast to millions on television, radio and online throughout the state will include two-term Texas Governor Rick Perry and three-term U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Final determination about other potential debate participants will be made following [...]