Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

West conducts ‘do-over’ in city administrator vote

2013-10-14T17:19:17-05:00

By TOMMY WITHERSPOON Waco Tribune-Herald Originally published Oct. 12, 2013 West City Council members have called a special meeting for Monday to hire a city administrator because their Oct. 1 vote did not comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act and is not valid. The council will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at West City Hall and is expected to vote — for a second time — to hire West native Shelly Nors as West’s first city administrator. The administrator, the city’s top position reporting to the council, will oversee 19 full-time city employees and focus on grant-writing, economic development and [...]

West conducts ‘do-over’ in city administrator vote2013-10-14T17:19:17-05:00

Experts: Bryan school board broke meetings law; district disagrees

2013-09-27T17:33:28-05:00

By Caitlin Perrone The Eagle Originally published Sept. 27, 2013 Bryan school board members recently added an issue to the executive session portion of their agenda, just minutes before gathering behind closed doors - a move that several experts said was a violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. "Personnel" was the only topic listed for discussion during the executive session of the council's Sept. 16 meeting, but the board added a subject related to the Navasota school district's dropping out of a three-district effort to secure a federal grant. Bryan would be replacing Navasota as lead organizer for the project. [...]

Experts: Bryan school board broke meetings law; district disagrees2013-09-27T17:33:28-05:00

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

New laws clearly aimed at boosting governmental transparency

2013-09-30T03:09:44-05:00

By Kolten Parker San Antonio Express-News Originally published Aug. 11, 2013 AUSTIN — As the dust settles on the 83rd Texas Legislature, open government advocates are applauding new laws they say leverage evolving technology to increase access and shine light on all levels of government for both residents and officials. “I think it was a really good session for transparency in government. It was kind of the buzzword of the session,” said Donnis Baggett, executive vice president of Texas Press Association. Next month, Texas will become the first state allowing officials at all levels of government in the state to communicate [...]

New laws clearly aimed at boosting governmental transparency2013-09-30T03:09:44-05:00

FOIFT honors Rep. Todd Hunter, hears from Sen. Wendy Davis

2013-09-19T17:13:28-05:00

PRESS RELEASE AUSTIN -- Prominent Texas legislators urged Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas conference attendees Friday to remain vigilant in their open government and free speech advocacy. Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, who received the organization’s inaugural Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award, said he was raised in a family that valued free speech and noted that many elected officials support open government and First Amendment rights. The keynote speaker, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, told the crowd that some open government gains were made by this year’s Legislature, but that more work remains to be done. Government must [...]

FOIFT honors Rep. Todd Hunter, hears from Sen. Wendy Davis2013-09-19T17:13:28-05:00
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