Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Taxpayers needs to know how money is spent, say advocates for closing hole in Texas open records law

FOIFT2018-12-27T19:55:38-06:00

By Robert T. GarrettThe Dallas Morning NewsOriginally published Dec. 27, 2018 AUSTIN — Open government advocates in Texas say a 3½-year-old court decision, probably unintentionally, has blown a growing hole in the state's transparency about how taxpayers' money is spent. Conservative and liberal think tanks, government watchdogs, consumer groups and industries that depend on robust access to public records, such as newspapers and broadcasters, have formed the Texas Sunshine Coalition. They want the Legislature next year to dial back secrecy that a 2015 Texas Supreme Court decision encouraged, but the fight will be heated. Read the full story here.

Taxpayers needs to know how money is spent, say advocates for closing hole in Texas open records lawFOIFT2018-12-27T19:55:38-06:00

Upshur County sheriff will send information request to AG’s office

FOIFT2018-12-19T03:24:06-06:00

By Glenn EvansLongview News-JournalOriginally published Dec. 17, 2018 The News-Journal filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office on Monday morning about Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb’s handling of a request for a high-profile offense report earlier this month. Late Monday afternoon, the newspaper received a certified letter, dated Dec. 12, from Webb saying he will send information in an assault complaint against District Clerk Karen Bunn to the Attorney General’s Office seeking verification that it can withhold part of the Nov. 14 offense report. The report, by courthouse maintenance crew member Ricky Freeman, accuses Bunn of assault on a public servant, a [...]

Upshur County sheriff will send information request to AG’s officeFOIFT2018-12-19T03:24:06-06:00

Daily Texan explores wait, costs involved in open records requests at UT-Austin

FOIFT2018-11-01T14:36:57-05:00

By Morgan O'Hanlon The Daily Texan Originally published Oct. 31. 2018 How many times have UT students appealed Title IX sanctions to the President’s Office? That’s the question former Daily Texanreporter Will Clark was trying to answer late last year as he reported the story “Presidential Power,” which explains UT President Gregory Fenves’ unique power as the final decision maker in appeals cases regarding student conduct. As part of his reporting, Clark, a radio-television-film junior, asked the University that question via an open records request, but the request was denied on basis that confidential student information could be released in the [...]

Daily Texan explores wait, costs involved in open records requests at UT-AustinFOIFT2018-11-01T14:36:57-05:00

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas It’s quite simple, really. We Texans have a right to know how our taxpayer dollars are spent. It’s our money. We, the people, choose our government. Our elected public officials represent us. They manage and spend our tax money. But we, the people,get to decide whether they are doing it well. To do that, we need light shining on the workings of our government. But that essential element of our democracy is in jeopardy in Texas. Taxpayers are being denied information about government contracts with private companies and about tax [...]

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spentFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award

FOIFT2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Aug. 27, 2018 For Immediate Release AUSTIN – First Amendment attorney Laura Lee Prather, a champion of free speech and government transparency, is the recipient of the 2018 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. Prather will receive the award Sept. 21 at the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon during the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin. “Laura is fearless and tireless in championing open government. No one in Texas has done more for [...]

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison AwardFOIFT2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

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