At the state Capitol, the FOI Foundation of Texas supports bills promoting transparency in government and protecting the rights of free speech and free press. The foundation’s staff and volunteers advocate for legislation that strengthens the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act and other state laws. Here are updates about transparency efforts in recent Texas legislative sessions.
Why Austin bomber Mark Conditt’s confession may be kept secret — forever
Read recent coverage by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV of the police investigation into the Austin bomber case: https://www.mystatesman.com/news/why-austin-bomber-mark-conditt-confession-may-kept-secret-forever/Irdwv4O8IZCYYSnwuXLSUK/ http://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/public-may-never-hear-austin-bombers-confession-experts-say/269-535953990
Video: A conversation about Texas’ Public Information Act
Watch video of a policy primer on the Texas Public Information Act, a panel discussion hosted March 29 by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and co-sponsored by the FOI Foundation of Texas and an assortment of other organizations. This was one of several Sunshine Month activities in Texas. Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey moderated the conversation, which featured First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, [...]
Register for Thursday’s TPPF policy primer on Texas Public Information Act
Join the FOI Foundation of Texas and other Sunshine Coalition groups for Thursday's free policy primer on the Texas Public Information Act, hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation at their offices in Austin. Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin and Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi will be participating, along with James Quintero of TPPF and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather of the FOI [...]
Court ruling preventing public from seeing how taxpayer money is spent
By Jaie Avila WOIA/News 4 San Antonio Originally published March 19, 2018 How much did San Antonio pay REO Speedwagon to play on New Year's Eve? What kind of tax breaks are big corporations receiving to move here? The News 4 Trouble Shooters use the Texas Public Information Act to track how your tax dollars are spent. However, a new weapon is being used [...]
FOI Foundation to host Open Government Seminar, First Amendment Institute in Arlington
For Immediate Release AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Arlington on April 17, featuring training in public meeting and public records laws. A First Amendment Institute session also offered that day will instruct journalists on free press rights. The non-profit FOI Foundation, in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, is organizing the one-day [...]
During ‘Sunshine Month,’ put spotlight on government accountability
By Kelley Shannon Shining light on government to hold it accountable is hardly a new idea. In fact, Texas was a national leader in this realm for more than 40 years. Sadly, the flow of public information in this huge state is slipping from the sunshine into the shadows. Some state leaders have been dimming the lights, ensuring that even the most basic information [...]