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.
Joe Larsen: How to make Texas government less transparent
By Joe Larsen FOI Foundation of Texas Board Member Published in The Texas Tribune Aug. 18, 2016 The bedrock laws providing Texans with access to information of and regarding their government were passed in 1973 in the wake of the Sharpstown scandal. All areas of government, with very few exceptions, benefit from transparency. But sunlight is perhaps most beneficial and necessary at that juncture [...]
News veteran, journalism educator Wanda Cash to receive James Madison Award
AUSTIN – Texas newswoman Wanda Garner Cash, an educator who has led multiple newspapers and long worked for the public’s right to know, is the recipient of the 2016 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be [...]
Texas high court carves “monstrous loophole” for government secrets
By Jim Malewitz The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 5, 2016 Thanks to the Texas Supreme Court, McAllen taxpayers cannot find out how much their city paid Enrique Iglesias to belt out his Latin pop lyrics at a holiday parade. And Houston cannot release, among other information, how many driver permits it has issued to ride-hailing giant Uber. A Kaufman County school district’s food [...]
Court rulings taking a toll on Texas public records access
By Kelley Shannon Those of us who keep a close eye on Texas’ evolving open government laws watch the state Legislature for signs of change. We also look at how local and state government agencies carry out these laws to see if they are working. But we must focus on the courts, too. Troubling rulings by the Texas Supreme Court and lower courts are [...]
Open Government Champions: Clardy presses for public’s right to know
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in an occasional series of opinion pieces on legislators and other Texans who are openly committed to sustaining government transparency and accountability. The articles are being prepared and distributed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association. By GARY BORDERS State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, in his two terms in the Legislature has proven [...]
Symposium to commemorate Texas’ anti-SLAPP law June 23
AUSTIN – The Coalition for Free Speech and Haynes and Boone, LLP, will host a symposium and reception June 23, 2016, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of passage of Texas’ anti-SLAPP statute. Paul Brown, former Capital Tonight Anchor, will moderate a lively discussion with lawmakers, public interest groups from both sides of the aisle, SLAPP victims and others about what the statute has meant [...]