Attorney General

FOI Foundation files brief supporting release of lawmaker’s records

2013-09-19T16:53:15-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in a brief filed with Attorney General Greg Abbott has urged that a lawmaker’s records related to the American Legislative Exchange Council be made public. The FOI Foundation brief supports the position of the Center for Media and Democracy, which sought to obtain records from Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, pertaining to ALEC, a conservative think tank. Klick and the American Legislative Exchange Council have argued to the attorney general that their communications are immune to release under the Texas Public Information Act. “The communications between Rep. Klick and ALEC are governmental information, to [...]

FOI Foundation files brief supporting release of lawmaker’s records2013-09-19T16:53:15-05:00

Key open government legislation taking effect Sept. 1

2013-09-19T16:53:27-05:00

Two major open government bills passed by the 83rd Legislature become law on Sunday, Sept. 1. A modernization of the Texas Public Information Act contained in Senate Bill 1368 makes it clear that electronic messages dealing with official business are public, regardless of the type of message or device it’s transmitted on. That means the TPIA will adapt to modern modes of communication, such as text messaging, emails and instant messaging. Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office has been ruling for some time that these messages are public, and now it will be codified into law. The legislation also provides that contracts [...]

Key open government legislation taking effect Sept. 12013-09-19T16:53:27-05:00

El Paso City Council to release personal emails related to ballpark

2013-09-30T03:05:16-05:00

KVIA Staff Report KVIA.com (El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM) Originally published Aug. 20, 2013 EL PASO, Texas - City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to release a series of emails from the personal accounts of several city officials related to the negotiations in the run-up to the approval of the construction of a new baseball stadium at the site of the old city hall. Council did not say when those messages will actually be released. Several parties, including KVIA, requested those emails months ago. The attorney general said the emails are public record. City officials disagreed, and filed a lawsuit [...]

El Paso City Council to release personal emails related to ballpark2013-09-30T03:05:16-05:00

Fort Worth lawmaker tries to block request for information on dealings with conservative group

2013-09-30T03:09:02-05:00

By David Barer The Dallas Morning News Originally published Aug. 15, 2013 AUSTIN — A Fort Worth lawmaker has turned to the attorney general to block a request for information that could show her interactions with the American Legislative Exchange Council, an influential conservative think tank. The Center for Media and Democracy, a Wisconsin-based government watchdog group, requested through Texas public records laws in early July that state lawmakers release documents. All of the lawmakers complied with the request except Republican Rep. Stephanie Klick, said Brendan Fischer with the watchdog group. In a letter to the attorney general, Klick argues that [...]

Fort Worth lawmaker tries to block request for information on dealings with conservative group2013-09-30T03:09:02-05:00

Open government in Texas is getting more open thanks to new state laws

2013-09-19T16:34:50-05:00

By Dave Lieber, Dallas News Published: 25 July 2013 11:04 PM Don’t fall off your chair when you hear this, but the Legislature has enacted major changes in how Texans can monitor their local, county and state governments. These changes are for the better for both officials and the public. Texas is the first state in the nation to create a new way to monitor the work and deliberations of government officials. Each government, whether it be city council, school district, county commissioners court or a state agency, is now allowed to create an Internet message board where officials, both elected [...]

Open government in Texas is getting more open thanks to new state laws2013-09-19T16:34:50-05:00

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    Austin, Texas 78705

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