Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecy
By Jessica PriestUSA Today NetworkOriginally published April 8, 2020 Read the full story here. Thirty-five states have temporarily altered open government laws to curb the spread of coronavirus, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis of government press releases, newspaper articles and information collected by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the National Governors Association. The agencies in these states — from the smallest municipal bodies to [...]
Texas is behind the curve on releasing timely information on the coronavirus. Here’s why.
By John Tedesco, Alex Stuckey, Stephanie Lamm, Matt DempseyHouston ChronicleOriginally published April 4, 2020 Texas is bracing for a pandemic that is projected to kill tens of thousands of people across the U.S., but health officials and state leaders are struggling to provide the public with timely updates on how many people are infected and how many hospital beds and ventilators are available for the critically ill. Other states across [...]
Palestine, Texas, city council improves technology to ensure public can access virtual meetings
By William PatrickPalestine Herald-PressOriginally published March 31, 2020 More than $2,000 of audio and video upgrades over the last week allowed Palestine City Council members Monday to meet virtually – and fully include the public. Computer equipment improvements came after audio and video problems marred last week’s council meeting. Dozens of residents complained on social media that they couldn't hear or understanding council discussions or action. The video failed just [...]
Open government awareness during coronavirus emergency
By Kelley ShannonExecutive DirectorFreedom of Information Foundation of Texas The coronavirus emergency is creating trying times for public officials and citizens when it comes to open government. But transparency and the public's right to know are vitally important during a disaster. We need more information flowing now, not less. Here are reminders and resources for complying with Texas transparency laws during the COVID-19 outbreak: Gov. Greg Abbott has suspended one [...]
Gov. Abbott suspends part of Texas Open Meetings Act during coronavirus emergency
By Kelley ShannonExecutive DirectorFOI Foundation of Texas We at the FOI Foundation of Texas recognize the need to avoid large public gatherings right now during the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Greg Abbott's suspension of part of the Texas Open Meetings Act allows additional options for governments holding virtual meetings, either through telephone or videoconferencing. Virtual meetings are already permitted under the law, but this action removes the requirement of a physical [...]
Sunshine Week Column: Sun starting to shine again on Texas government
By Kelley Shannon Texans have something to celebrate during Sunshine Week this year. But we also have more work to do to protect the public’s right to know about our government. Sunshine Week, March 15-21, is an annual national initiative proclaiming the importance of access to public information. First, the bright spot for Texas: Essential elements of contracts between governments and private companies – including pricing and promises – are [...]
POSTPONED: FOI Foundation’s Open Government Seminar in San Antonio to be rescheduled
The FOI Foundation's Open Government Seminar in San Antonio, previously scheduled for April 8, has been postponed amid coronavirus concerns and stay-at-home orders. Please stay tuned for the reschedule date, tentatively planned for June. The Open Government Seminar is part of a series of regional educational sessions the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting this year in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. It is open [...]
Roe v. Wade was filed 50 years ago, but Texas still won’t release the full legal files
By Karen BlumenthalOpinion piece in The Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published March 8, 2020 Getting state and local government records of any kind, especially those of a famous legal case that is nearly 50 years old, should not require a lawyer or a bucket of cash. The state’s Public Information Act is supposed to compel state and local governmental bodies to release records to those who request them within 10 business [...]
Austin officials fast-track new policy to release online videos of critical incidents
By Katie HallAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published March 2, 2020 Austin police are on track to begin releasing available video footage of new critical incidents by the end of this month under a new policy, police officials say. The video release policy — modeled after the Los Angeles Police Department’s rules on sharing footage — comes after the Austin City Council directed the police department in February to produce a clear protocol [...]
Odessa American files lawsuit against city of Odessa
By Laura DennisOdessa AmericanOriginally published Jan. 31, 2020 The Odessa American has filed a lawsuit against the City of Odessa to force the city to release public crime records in a timely manner and in accordance with state law. For months, the OA has battled the city to provide public documents to both the OA and the public that includes police reports and probable cause affidavits in a timely manner [...]
Photojournalist fights for First Amendment rights, supports FOI Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN – Freelance photojournalist Avi S. Adelman, who received a $345,000 legal settlement after he was arrested when taking photographs in a public place in Dallas, has become a major supporter of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas The Dallas Area Rapid Transit board of directors voted in October to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by Adelman over his arrest by a DART police officer [...]
Know your open government rights, remember these basics
By Kelley ShannonExecutive DirectorFOI Foundation of Texas Whatever our political views, certainly we can agree we have the right to know how government is conducting business. How are taxpayer dollars spent? Who is influencing decisions? Access to information allows us to speak up and hold public officials accountable, while a lack of transparency diminishes trust in government. The Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act are the state’s [...]
Open government seminar set for Feb. 25 in Corpus Christi
CORPUS CHRISTI – Transparency experts will gather Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Corpus Christi for a seminar examining updates to state open government laws and offering training on the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act. Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi is hosting the one-day open government conference, joined by the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. “Open [...]
Partial records released: TRS rent starts at $326,000 per month
By Bob SechlerAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Jan. 24, 2020 The Teacher Retirement System of Texas has disclosed partial costs of its office lease in an upscale high-rise under construction in downtown Austin, seven months after the American-Statesman first asked for financial details about it and the state agency sought to keep it secret. The starting base lease rate disclosed by the retirement system — which has an investment relationship with one [...]
Odessa American says city violating public information laws
By Royal McGregorOdessa AmericanOriginally published Jan. 16, 2020 Signs point to another legal battle brewing between the Odessa American and the City of Odessa following a crackdown by the city on releasing crime information. The OA for decades has received prompt response for requests for information about crime in Odessa but that grinded to an almost standstill following a mass shooting in Odessa on Aug. 31. Some elected officials were [...]
Under new Texas law, records finally released: McAllen paid Enrique Iglesias $485,000 for holiday parade
By Mitchell FermanThe MonitorOriginally published Jan. 7, 2020 The city of McAllen paid singer Enrique Iglesias $485,000 for his performance at the city’s 2015 holiday parade, the city disclosed on Tuesday, ending more than four years of city officials keeping the contract private. The contract also revealed that the city chartered a flight to fly in Iglesias from Guadalajara, purchased 24 hotel rooms for two nights and provided and paid [...]
Newly enacted Texas law to shine light on spending of taxpayer money
By Asher PriceAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Jan. 3, 2020 How much taxpayer money did the University of Texas pay the rapper Ludacris to perform after a spring football game last year? Or how much money is the Teacher Retirement System paying for new digs in downtown Austin? Public entities declined to release information that would answer either of these questions, posed by the American-Statesman, citing rulings handed down by the Texas [...]
FOI Foundation files amicus brief in gag order case stemming from Amber Guyger trial
By Dana BranhamThe Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published Dec. 5, 2019 Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot filed a motion Thursday seeking dismissal of his contempt case, in which he is accused of violating a gag order in the murder trial of former Dallas police Officer Amber Guyger for the fatal shooting of Botham Jean. State District Judge Tammy Kemp, who presided over Guyger’s trial, filed a show-cause order in October [...]
Support FOI on Giving Tuesday
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 [...]
The inauguration of Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick cost millions. Much of it went to fundraising and staff.
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, [...]