OUR MISSION
Advocating for Access to Public Information
We speak out for protecting and strengthening the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act and other freedom of information and free speech laws. We also educate the public about these laws.
Honoring Those Who Fight for Open Government
The FOI Foundation of Texas presents the annual James Madison Award to journalists, elected officials, attorneys and vigilant citizens for distinction in pursuing open government and First Amendment rights. The honor is bestowed at the annual FOI Foundation state conference. Nominations are accepted from the general public.
PROTECTING THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW
Since its formation in 1978, the FOI Foundation has helped citizens access government meetings and records while protecting free speech and a free press. Information is essential to participating in our democracy.
GET TO KNOW FOIFT
Latest FOIFT News
Protecting The Rights Of Free Speech And Free Press
Daily Texan explores wait, costs involved in open records requests at UT-Austin
By Morgan O'Hanlon The Daily Texan Originally published Oct. 31. 2018 How many times have UT students appealed Title IX sanctions to the President’s Office? That’s the question former Daily Texanreporter Will Clark was trying to answer late last year as he reported the [...]
Editorial: Anderson County sheriff should release medical records of inmate’s death to family
Palestine Herald-Press Editorial Originally published Oct. 19, 2018 Over the last two months, Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor has throttled every information source within reach that could shed light on prisoner Rhonda Newsome's death. Now, by withholding Newsome's medical records from her family, Taylor [...]
In reversal, Texas Supreme Court accepts execution drug appeal
By Chuck Lindell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 19, 2018 The Texas Supreme Court has announced that it will review a lower court decision that required prison officials to identify the pharmacy that supplied the state with execution drugs under a 2014 legal challenge. [...]