Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Rivard Report: Pandemic is no time to deny the public’s right to know

FOIFT2020-05-18T14:03:29-05:00

By Robert RivardRivard ReportOriginally published May 17, 2020 One uncomfortable reality for some who collect their paychecks from taxpayer- and ratepayer-supported entities is that the public has a timely right to know what they are doing and how they are doing it. In Texas, however, the public’s right to know is always qualified, despite the existence of the Texas Public Information Act. A continuing legal fight over access to meetings and public records has been waged since the 1970s, when public corruption scandals finally forced legislators in Austin to act. Yet the standoff continues today. ... Now the coronavirus outbreak and ensuing [...]

Rivard Report: Pandemic is no time to deny the public’s right to knowFOIFT2020-05-18T14:03:29-05:00

Austin police to release shooting videos sooner under new policy

FOIFT2020-05-15T15:30:48-05:00

By Tony PlohetskiAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published May 13, 2020 Austin police officials will begin releasing video from officer-involved shootings within 60 days of each incident, a drastic change to internal policy that used to shield that information for many months or longer until an investigation was completed. Officials say the policy is intended to help foster community trust and allow for greater accountability while still giving detectives two months to follow investigative leads that might be compromised by the immediate release of such evidence. Read the full story here.

Austin police to release shooting videos sooner under new policyFOIFT2020-05-15T15:30:48-05:00

FOI Foundation calls on health officials to identify nursing homes where COVID-19 is confirmed

FOIFT2020-04-29T19:55:05-05:00

April 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas called on state and local officials Wednesday to reveal the names and locations of nursing homes where cases and/or deaths from COVID-19 have been confirmed. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and some local government health officials have refused to say which nursing homes have experienced coronavirus outbreaks, though they acknowledge numerous cases have been detected in these facilities. “Accurate information about the spread of coronavirus is essential for Texans as they strive to understand the seriousness and scope of this pandemic,” said Kelley Shannon, [...]

FOI Foundation calls on health officials to identify nursing homes where COVID-19 is confirmedFOIFT2020-04-29T19:55:05-05:00

Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some cases

FOIFT2020-04-13T15:21:43-05:00

By Joshua FechterSan Antonio Express-NewsOriginally published April 13, 2020 Democracy at the local level usually involves elected officials weighing policy within arm’s reach of each other, residents delivering impassioned remarks at a lectern, oblivious to the microphone’s cleanliness, and voters filing into libraries and schools. But the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus has forced elected officials to try to strike a balance between open government and the need for everyone to keep their distance from each another — a key tool in slowing the spread of the virus but not conducive to public participation. “The virus doesn’t care about democracy,” [...]

Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some casesFOIFT2020-04-13T15:21:43-05:00

Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecy

FOIFT2020-04-09T15:19:38-05:00

By Jessica PriestUSA Today NetworkOriginally published April 8, 2020 Read the full story here. Thirty-five states have temporarily altered open government laws to curb the spread of coronavirus, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis of government press releases, newspaper articles and information collected by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the National Governors Association. The agencies in these states — from the smallest municipal bodies to the biggest government entities — now can hold meetings remotely. Some allow public comment only in writing, as in Fuller’s case. They’re also delaying public records requests. Read the full story [...]

Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecyFOIFT2020-04-09T15:19:38-05:00

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