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.
KXAN’s ‘State of Texas’: A look at laws that block access to information
KXAN-TV's weekly program "State of Texas" focused on state laws that deny public access to government information: http://www.kxan.com/news/texas/state-of-texas-a-look-at-laws-that-deny-access-to-information/1147532344
Denied: KXAN series reports on police withholding records when suspect dies
KXAN television in Austin is airing a series about a Texas law that gives police discretion to withhold information if a suspect dies in custody. Legislative efforts to close that loophole failed in 2017, but it has not stopped the families who have been denied video and other records detailing their loved ones' final moments from speaking out. Check out this KXAN report based [...]
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 [...]