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.
FOI Foundation of Texas state conference set for Sept. 29
AUSTIN - Transparency issues surrounding the Uvalde mass shooting, First Amendment rights in school libraries and journalism classrooms and news leaders' and legislators' views on the current open government landscape are the focus of the upcoming FOI Foundation state conference, "New Takes on Texas Transparency." The event will be Thursday, Sept. 29, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., in Austin. [...]
Austin American-Statesman and KVUE publish full video from Uvalde mass shooing
By Manny Garcia Austin American-Statesman Editor Originally published July 12, 2022 The Uvalde mass shooting at Robb Elementary School happened on May 24, seven weeks ago. Here is the video from the tragedy for transparency and a column by Austin American-Statesman editor Manny Garcia on why his newspaper and KVUE decided to publish the footage. Authorities could have easily released it already, Garcia notes. [...]
In Texas, a legal loophole may block access to Uvalde shooting records
By David Martin Davies Texas Public Radio Originally aired and published June 14, 2022 Since the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, officials have given out contradictory information. To get the facts, reporters often turn to public information, such as 911 calls, police dispatch recordings and body cameras. But in Texas, those records are tough to obtain. As Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies [...]
Federal judge rules Texas drone law violates First Amendment
Federal Judge Robert Pitman struck down Texas' drone photography law, ruling it violates the First Amendment. The law prevented journalists from gathering news. As attorney Jim Hemphill, an FOI Foundation of Texas board member, explains in this article by Alicia Calzada, the decision confirms drone photography is "an integral tool in 21st-Century journalism.” Read Calzada's full article here, published by the National Press Photographers [...]
At the root of democracy: Free flow of information
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas As Ukrainians fight and die for democracy, Russia is arresting its own citizens who are protesting the war and threatening prison for journalists who report the truth. The attempt to crush a democratic government and stop the flow of information comes as American news organizations and transparency advocates observe Sunshine Week from March [...]
After backlash, Texas comptroller abandons plan to hide details of controversial tax break program
By Mike Morris, John Tedesco Houston Chronicle Originally published Jan. 28, 2022 Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is backing away from a proposal to reduce the information his office collects on the state’s largest corporate incentive program amid an avalanche of criticism from Texans concerned about the future cost to the state. Hundreds of residents and some lawmakers submitted comments on the proposal after Hegar’s [...]