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, [...]
Some public officials confused over new law allowing public comment at meetings
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 [...]
New SMU law clinic to focus on First Amendment
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. [...]
Texas Tribune suing to see receipts for $5.3 million Texas inauguration
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.
Federal lawsuit challenges Texas drone law, arguing it unconstitutionally restricts visual journalists
Issued by NPPAFor Immediate ReleaseSept. 26, 2019 Austin, Tx. – The National Press Photographers Association, the Texas Press Association and an independent journalist filed a lawsuit today in Austin federal court challenging a Texas law— Texas Government Code Chapter 423—that makes it a crime for visual journalists and others to use drones for newsgathering and other similar activities. Texas’s drone law is among the most restrictive in the country. Chapter 423 makes [...]
FOI Foundation of Texas urges media, public access at immigration court proceedings
For Immediate Release Sept. 24, 2019 AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas today expressed deep concern regarding the lack of media and public access to judicial proceedings being held in makeshift immigration courts on the Texas-Mexico border. Public and media access to immigration-related judicial proceedings should be unfettered; both the U.S. Constitution and this country’s long and proud tradition of open courts mandate full transparency. Allowing public [...]
Sen. Kirk Watson: Redistricting is difficult and needs sunshine
Sen. Kirk Watson, delivering the keynote address at the FOI Foundation of Texas conference, warned Friday of efforts by some lawmakers to block access to redistricting information and urged Texans to demand more transparency. Watson, D-Austin, noted that House Bill 4181 makes more government records subject to legislative privilege, thus shielding them from public access. He said the bill "blew through the House without a hearing" in May and ended [...]
Victoria Advocate, KXAN win Spirit of FOI Awards for open government reporting
For Immediate Release Sept. 20, 2019 AUSTIN - Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing suspected corruption within the Calhoun Port Authority and the lack of access to information following the deaths of suspects in police custody. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, highlights journalism that upholds First Amendment principles and promotes or [...]
Capitol staffers Erickson, Aldredge to receive James Madison Award for transparency work
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 10, 2019 AUSTIN – Two legislative aides who worked relentlessly to strengthen the Texas Public Information Act are recipients of this year’s James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Kelsey Erickson, general counsel to Sen. Kirk Watson, and Katy Aldredge, capitol director for Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, will receive the honor for their efforts in passing legislation that makes important repairs and [...]
Taxpayer-funded TRS won’t say how much it’s spending on office space
By Bob SechlerAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Sept. 6, 2019 When construction of what will be the tallest office tower in downtown Austin is finished in 2021, the taxpayer-funded state agency charged with overseeing retirement benefits for about 1.6 million Texas teachers and school employees will be among the first tenants moving in. But the cost to taxpayers for the high-profile office space isn’t publicly known, because the Teacher Retirement System of [...]
TEA investigative report of Houston ISD cites misconduct, including alleged Open Meetings Act violations
By Jacob CarpenterHouston ChronicleOriginally published Aug. 6, 2019 Texas Education Agency officials have recommended that a state-appointed governing team replace Houston ISD’s locally elected school board after a six-month investigation found several instances of alleged misconduct by some trustees, including violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act, inappropriate influencing of vendor contracts and making false statements to investigators. Read the full story here.
House State Affairs Chairman Dade Phelan to address FOI Foundation conference Sept. 20
Rep. Dade Phelan, leader of the Texas House State Affairs Committee, will be the keynote speaker at the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 20. A prominent Texas journalist will interview Phelan during the conference luncheon. Panel discussions throughout the day will focus on open government outcomes in the 2019 Texas Legislature; public access to police records; and best practices for news reporters and others in seeking government information [...]