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.
Transparency in government leads to real news
By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Whether depending on our government for storm recovery, good schools, police protection or other important services, openness and access to information are essential to ensuring the job gets done. A free flow of information helps citizens keep watch on their government. It also allows journalists to report on matters of widespread interest by scrutinizing public [...]
Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?
By Alex Samuels The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 25, 2017 Hey, Texplainer: what social media information is subject to state open records laws? Is there anything off limits when it comes to what citizens can request to see? All social media is subject to state freedom of information laws, but whether you get the information you’ve requested depends on whether the communication is [...]
Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts
By Olivia Krauth Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 13, 2017 In June, the American-Statesman sent public records requests to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, among other Austin- and Texas-based politicians, asking for lists of whom they block from following their public, taxpayer-funded Twitter accounts. The governor, citing public safety concerns, said, no. His fear: Russian hackers. Lawyers for each office said [...]
Open government advocates now focusing on 2019
By John C. Moritz USA Today Network Originally published July 19, 2017 AUSTIN – When a former employee of the world’s largest aerospace corporation began asking about the specific terms of the company’s lease agreement for its operations in San Antonio, it set in motion a chain of events that would gut Texas’ open government laws. And bills to restore teeth to the law [...]
Sen. Kirk Watson to be keynote speaker at FOI Foundation conference Sept. 14
Mark your calendars for Thursday, Sept. 14, when the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference "Transparency = Real News" takes place at the Hilton Austin. Texas Sen. Kirk Watson, an ardent advocate for open government, will be the luncheon keynote speaker. Other sessions at the daylong conference will focus on open government outcomes in the Texas Legislature; online access to court records; and use [...]
Editorial: Abbott’s pen cut transparency like a sword
Corpus Christi Caller-Times Editorial Originally published June 16, 2017 With the simple act of signing his name, Gov. Greg Abbott completed a trifecta of failure by all branches of state government to defend the people's right to know. Abbott was proud of himself Thursday for vetoing 50 bills that he claimed were government overreach. One of those was House Bill 2783, regrettably the only government [...]