Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Texas is behind the curve on releasing timely information on the coronavirus. Here’s why.

2020-04-06T15:44:38-05:00

By John Tedesco, Alex Stuckey, Stephanie Lamm, Matt DempseyHouston ChronicleOriginally published April 4, 2020 Texas is bracing for a pandemic that is projected to kill tens of thousands of people across the U.S., but health officials and state leaders are struggling to provide the public with timely updates on how many people are infected and how many hospital beds and ventilators are available for the critically ill. Other states across the country have been providing coronavirus hospitalization figures for weeks. On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that 827 people have been hospitalized in Texas. But the true number of cases is [...]

Texas is behind the curve on releasing timely information on the coronavirus. Here’s why.2020-04-06T15:44:38-05:00

Palestine, Texas, city council improves technology to ensure public can access virtual meetings

2020-04-01T16:24:34-05:00

By William PatrickPalestine Herald-PressOriginally published March 31, 2020 More than $2,000 of audio and video upgrades over the last week allowed Palestine City Council members Monday to meet virtually – and fully include the public. Computer equipment improvements came after audio and video problems marred last week’s council meeting. Dozens of residents complained on social media that they couldn't hear or understanding council discussions or action. The video failed just prior to a council vote. Critics questioned whether the council inadvertently violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, which was amended by Gov. Greg Abbot to include virtual meetings during the COVID-19 [...]

Palestine, Texas, city council improves technology to ensure public can access virtual meetings2020-04-01T16:24:34-05:00

POSTPONED: FOI Foundation’s Open Government Seminar in San Antonio to be rescheduled

2020-03-25T15:01:43-05:00

The FOI Foundation's Open Government Seminar in San Antonio, previously scheduled for April 8, has been postponed amid coronavirus concerns and stay-at-home orders. Please stay tuned for the reschedule date, tentatively planned for June. The Open Government Seminar is part of a series of regional educational sessions the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting this year in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office.  It is open to all who are interested, including community activists, journalists, attorneys, government employees and the general public. “Fully participating in our democracy means having access to information. This seminar will inform citizens [...]

POSTPONED: FOI Foundation’s Open Government Seminar in San Antonio to be rescheduled2020-03-25T15:01:43-05:00

Partial records released: TRS rent starts at $326,000 per month

2020-01-27T14:47:17-06:00

By Bob SechlerAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published Jan. 24, 2020 The Teacher Retirement System of Texas has disclosed partial costs of its office lease in an upscale high-rise under construction in downtown Austin, seven months after the American-Statesman first asked for financial details about it and the state agency sought to keep it secret. The starting base lease rate disclosed by the retirement system — which has an investment relationship with one of the developers of the 36-story Indeed Tower going up on West Sixth Street — equates to about $326,000 per month initially. That rate is below the current average for top-end [...]

Partial records released: TRS rent starts at $326,000 per month2020-01-27T14:47:17-06:00

Odessa American says city violating public information laws

2020-01-17T16:32:52-06:00

By Royal McGregorOdessa AmericanOriginally published Jan. 16, 2020 Signs point to another legal battle brewing between the Odessa American and the City of Odessa following a crackdown by the city on releasing crime information. The OA for decades has received prompt response for requests for information about crime in Odessa but that grinded to an almost standstill following a mass shooting in Odessa on Aug. 31. Some elected officials were unhappy that names of victims from the mass shooting were released quickly and a shift in how information was released on all crime in Odessa began. Public documents that had taken [...]

Odessa American says city violating public information laws2020-01-17T16:32:52-06:00

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  • 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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