Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Attorney Joel White, former FOI Foundation president, remembered as strong advocate for press freedom, open government

FOIFT2018-09-06T23:08:20-05:00

First Amendment attorney Joel White, a former president of the FOI Foundation of Texas and longtime champion of open government, has passed away. White died July 21 in Cartagena, Colombia. He became ill during a trip, having suffered a perforated diverticulitis and septic shock, according to friends and his wife, Melinda Rainey. In his law practice in Austin, White represented news media clients in many types of cases including court access, open records, subpoenas and libel. He also represented clients in finance, energy, construction and manufacturing. He was board certified in civil appellate law and was named one of the best lawyers in [...]

Attorney Joel White, former FOI Foundation president, remembered as strong advocate for press freedom, open governmentFOIFT2018-09-06T23:08:20-05:00

Former Richardson ISD board member alleges board secretly deliberated before votes

FOIFT2018-07-10T14:52:09-05:00

By Nanette Light The Dallas Morning News Originally published July 9, 2018 A former Richardson ISD school board member has sued the school district and its board of trustees, alleging "continuous and systematic" violations of the state's open meetings law. David Tyson Jr. - a black businessman who has challenged the validity of the all-white board in the diverse district - said in the civil lawsuit that the school board has participated in a long-running practice of violating the state's open meetings laws. The result, he alleged, has been that votes are merely "rubber-stamp" formalities. Read the full story here.

Former Richardson ISD board member alleges board secretly deliberated before votesFOIFT2018-07-10T14:52:09-05:00

Calhoun Port Authority’s hiring of Farenthold could be illegal

FOIFT2018-05-18T14:41:15-05:00

By Jessica Priest Victoria Advocate Originally published May 18, 2018 The Calhoun Port Authority apparently violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it hired former Congressman Blake Farenthold as its lobbyist. The Victoria Advocate is investigating its legal options in challenging the May 9 action on behalf of the public. “This is one of the most clear-cut examples of a notice violation that I’ve ever seen,” said longtime media attorney Joe Larsen, who serves on the board of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Larsen said the notice the port posted at the Calhoun County courthouse May 4 was too [...]

Calhoun Port Authority’s hiring of Farenthold could be illegalFOIFT2018-05-18T14:41:15-05:00

City of Odessa commits to closed-door meeting reform after newspaper’s lawsuit

FOIFT2018-03-21T12:50:59-05:00

By Corey Paul Odessa American Originally published March 20, 2018 The Odessa City Council will start keeping audio recordings of all closed-door meetings instead of written summaries, making it easier for the public to hold the officials to account if future violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act seem apparent. The agreement stems from a settlement between the City of Odessa and the Odessa American in a lawsuit filed by the newspaper in June 2017. The suit alleged that the City Council violated the state open meetings law weeks earlier, when a majority voted to oust the head of the board [...]

City of Odessa commits to closed-door meeting reform after newspaper’s lawsuitFOIFT2018-03-21T12:50:59-05:00

Court ruling preventing public from seeing how taxpayer money is spent

FOIFT2018-03-20T13:16:02-05:00

By Jaie Avila WOIA/News 4 San Antonio Originally published March 19, 2018 How much did San Antonio pay REO Speedwagon to play on New Year's Eve? What kind of tax breaks are big corporations receiving to move here? The News 4 Trouble Shooters use the Texas Public Information Act to track how your tax dollars are spent. However, a new weapon is being used to prevent us from keeping you informed. In 2015 the Texas Supreme Court made what's known as the Boeing decision. The ruling makes it easier for government agencies to block you from seeing the deals it makes [...]

Court ruling preventing public from seeing how taxpayer money is spentFOIFT2018-03-20T13:16:02-05:00

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News