Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

FOI Foundation files court brief arguing Greater Houston Partnership is governmental body

FOIFT2015-05-06T20:41:34-05:00

AUSTIN - The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has filed a brief with the Texas Supreme Court arguing that the Greater Houston Partnership is a governmental entity and subject to the state open records law. The FOI Foundation amicus brief was filed Monday in an appeal brought by the Greater Houston Partnership against the attorney general's office. The FOI Foundation contends the partnership is a "governmental body" under the Texas Public Information Act. The partnership is supported in part by public funds for the performance of traditional government services, in this case economic development activities, according to the brief. "The [...]

FOI Foundation files court brief arguing Greater Houston Partnership is governmental bodyFOIFT2015-05-06T20:41:34-05:00

Open government bills moving forward, getting hearings at Texas Capitol

FOIFT2015-04-24T15:21:12-05:00

This week Texas legislators were busy hearing bills both good and bad for open government and freedom of information as end-of-session legislative deadlines loom. The House Judiciary and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee approved HB 1766 by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, that allows for continued reporting by the news media on third party allegations of wrongdoing. The Senate, meanwhile, passed its version of the bill, SB 627 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston. These bills are positive for the public's right to know. A rough bill for open government is HB 1118 by Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, which would allow government officials to [...]

Open government bills moving forward, getting hearings at Texas CapitolFOIFT2015-04-24T15:21:12-05:00

Tyler Morning Telegraph: Tax deals should be open records

FOIFT2015-03-26T15:07:44-05:00

Editorial Tyler Morning Telegraph Originally published March 25, 2015 One of the best ideas to come out of this year’s Sunshine Week — a week dedicated to open and accountable government — is a bipartisan movement in Austin to change the way governing bodies such as cities and counties do economic development. An “Economic Development Transparency Coalition” has formed, calling on the Legislature to change the Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act to make economic development matters — like tax incentives and abatements — open to the public. The Coalition includes conservative groups, such as the Texas Public Policy [...]

Tyler Morning Telegraph: Tax deals should be open recordsFOIFT2015-03-26T15:07:44-05:00

Sunshine Week: Legislative spotlight on private email accounts, police records, news reporting

FOIFT2015-03-16T13:49:20-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Private university police beat a man suspected of stealing a bicycle. The violent episode was captured on a dash camera, but when questions arose the police refused to release the complete video. City officials used their personal email accounts to discuss government business, just as Hillary Clinton did as secretary of state. When a citizen sought the local records, which are public under Texas law, city employees claimed their power was limited because they didn’t have custody of the documents. As matters of widespread public concern come to light – [...]

Sunshine Week: Legislative spotlight on private email accounts, police records, news reportingFOIFT2015-03-16T13:49:20-05:00

Legislation would let officials refer information requesters to government websites

FOIFT2015-03-11T20:15:43-05:00

Public officials could respond to information requesters by referring them to specific information on a government website in many cases under legislation presented in committee Wednesday by Rep. Kenneth Sheets, R-Dallas. In laying out House Bill 685, Sheets explained than an anticipated committee substitute for the bill will clarify that the referral to a website would have to include a URL link directly to the requested information. It would also provide for other types of responses to those who don't have Internet access or who need the records in other formats. Sheets contends the update to the Texas Public Information Act [...]

Legislation would let officials refer information requesters to government websitesFOIFT2015-03-11T20:15:43-05:00

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