Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

When seeking public records, know your rights, responsibilities

2022-03-31T17:08:40-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas If you’ve seen news reports on suspicious state contracts or chemical waste pits or officials’ text messages in the Waco biker shootout, you may notice a recurring theme: Government records obtained through the Texas Public Information Act. Fortunately, our state’s public information law, created in the early 1970s, presumes government records are open unless a specific exemption in the law keeps the documents off limits. The public has a right to know. That means all citizens - not only journalists - can access government records. “It’s very easy,” said award-winning [...]

When seeking public records, know your rights, responsibilities2022-03-31T17:08:40-05:00

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinance

2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Oct. 20, 2015 The Denton City Council kicked a questionable 10-year-old ordinance to its ethics committee Tuesday, after failing to agree to repeal it or even on how to modify it. The ordinance criminalizes speech for council members who talk about city business deemed “confidential.” The Texas Freedom of Information Foundation wrote the city a letter in August saying the ordinance is likely unconstitutional. The council also moved forward new rules for tow truck operators and heard two hours of testimony over the location for the Eagle electrical substation. The council had not made [...]

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinance2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details

2015-09-25T14:09:47-05:00

By Aman Batheja The Texas Tribune Originally published Sept. 25, 2015 Over the objections of Attorney General Ken Paxton's office, the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling in June making it easier for private companies to keep secret details of their contracts with the state of Texas and local governments, a move that public information advocates warn is ripe for abuse. In a 7-1 opinion, the justices ordered Paxton's office to block the release of some information contained in a lease between Boeing and the Port Authority of San Antonio because the aerospace manufacturer said making the details public could prove [...]

Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details2015-09-25T14:09:47-05:00

Some Texas records now closed in wake of state Supreme Court ruling

2015-07-30T16:56:46-05:00

By Steve Miller Texas Watchdog Originally published July 30, 2015 An economic development group in Fort Bend County is no longer subject to the state’s open records law in the wake of a game-changing state Supreme Court ruling in June. The Texas Attorney General Office’s open records division has ruled the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council is not a public body, reversing a ruling it made in March regarding the same group before the high court edict. The new AG ruling concludes that under the provisions of the Supreme Court decision, the Fort Bend council is not subject to open records because it has [...]

Some Texas records now closed in wake of state Supreme Court ruling2015-07-30T16:56:46-05:00

State Bar announces winners of 2015 Texas Gavel Awards

2015-07-02T20:00:30-05:00

AUSTIN — The State Bar of Texas has announced the winners of the 2015 Texas Gavel Awards, including in-depth stories exploring a flawed capital murder conviction, alleged racial profiling and a debate over DWI sentencing penalties. Journalists representing the Houston Chronicle, Victoria Advocate, KXAN-TV, Marfa Public Radio and The Intercept have been selected as winners. The Gavel Awards honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. The State Bar of Texas will honor the winners at an awards luncheon Sept. 17 in Austin in conjunction with the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference. For more information on the [...]

State Bar announces winners of 2015 Texas Gavel Awards2015-07-02T20:00:30-05:00

CONTACT INFO

  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

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