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.
Conference update | Speakers, accommodations + more!
The 2013 Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference is fast approaching and we’ve got some exciting things to share! Speakers Conference speakers have been added to the roll and include: Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake Tom “Smitty” Smith, Public Citizen Laura Prather, First Amendment attorney, Haynes & Boone Reeve Hamilton, Texas Tribune James Drew, The Dallas Morning News Craig McDonald, Texans [...]
Open government law updates
Three detailed updates on newly passed Texas open government laws are now available by clicking the “Legislature” tab of our website. First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, a past president of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, describes these new laws and how they will help the public and newsrooms.
Open government, free speech protections to become Texas law
Legislation updating the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act along with measures that further protect freedom of speech and the press have been signed by Gov. Rick Perry and will become state law. Perry signed these open government and First Amendment protection bills Friday. They are among the major legislation supported by the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas during [...]
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas praises open government advances
AUSTIN _ Texans will gain greater access to the records and actions of their public officials under several measures supported by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) and approved in the 83rd Legislature. FOIFT board members from across the state testified in favor of these leading open government proposals and First Amendment protections that won House and Senate passage, and now head [...]
Critics Say Bill Does Little To Make Judges More Accountable
By Shelley Kofler Originally published by KERA on May 21, 2013 The Texas Senate and House have passed legislation that’s supposed to rein in judges who are abusing or misusing their authority. It’s a problem KERA looked at last year in a special series, Texas Judges: Out of Order. On the House floor last Friday it took less than five minutes to pass Senate [...]
Questions of Contradiction in Ethics Bills
By Emily Ramshaw and Aman Batheja Originally published May 16, 2013 This is one in a series of occasional stories about ethics and transparency in the part-time Texas Legislature. All session long, freshman state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione has been clamoring for greater transparency, trying to force lawmakers and their relatives to disclose their contracts with government agencies and shine a light on closely held [...]