Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

During ‘Sunshine Month,’ put spotlight on government accountability

2022-03-31T17:08:31-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Shining light on government to hold it accountable is hardly a new idea. In fact, Texas was a national leader in this realm for more than 40 years. Sadly, the flow of public information in this huge state is slipping from the sunshine into the shadows. Some state leaders have been dimming the lights, ensuring that even the most basic information about our government is getting more difficult to uncover: Who, really, is that candidate running for office?  How are our hard-earned tax dollars being spent? Remember the Alamo, and how do we track its restoration money? Texas [...]

During ‘Sunshine Month,’ put spotlight on government accountability2022-03-31T17:08:31-05:00

Appeals court reinstates Texas Open Meetings Act indictments against Montgomery County officials

2018-02-08T15:37:09-06:00

By Mike Snyder Houston Chronicle Originally published Feb. 7, 2018 Less than a month before a fiercely contested Republican primary election, a state appeals court on Wednesday reinstated indictments alleging that two elected Montgomery County officials and a consultant violated the state's open meetings law. The 9th Court of Appeals reversed a decision by state District Judge Randy Clapp, who had dismissed the indictments last April in a ruling that found a portion of the Texas Open Meetings Act unconstitutional. The appeals court ordered Clapp to reconsider the indictments against County Judge Craig Doyal, Commissioner Charlie Riley and political consultant Marc [...]

Appeals court reinstates Texas Open Meetings Act indictments against Montgomery County officials2018-02-08T15:37:09-06:00

Six current, ex-members of Pasadena economic development board indicted for private meetings

2018-01-25T14:48:26-06:00

By Brooke A. Lewis and Mark Collette Houston Chronicle Originally published Jan. 23, 2018, updated Jan. 24, 2018 Six current and former members of Pasadena's economic development board were indicted Tuesday by a grand jury for holding two private meetings in November 2016 with a contractor. Board members Ernesto Paredes and Emilio Carmona, former board President Roy Mease and ex-board members Brad Hance, Jackie Welch and Jim Harris were all indicted for violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, according to a news release from the Harris County District Attorney's Office. If convicted, the six could face one to six months in jail and [...]

Six current, ex-members of Pasadena economic development board indicted for private meetings2018-01-25T14:48:26-06:00

Media law experts say arrest violated citizen journalist’s First Amendment rights

2017-12-19T16:09:30-06:00

By Julia Wallace Laredo Morning Times Originally published Dec. 17, 2017 The recent arrest of Priscilla Villarreal, better known as the Facebook star/citizen journalist Lagordiloca, on misuse of information charges is novel, and potentially a violation of her First Amendment rights, according to several media law experts. Villarreal was charged Wednesday with two counts of misuse of information. Police said she received or solicited information from one of their own in order to obtain a benefit. The cop, a 19-year veteran, has been placed on administrative reassignment pending the outcome of internal and criminal investigations. Villarreal regularly received information about arrests, [...]

Media law experts say arrest violated citizen journalist’s First Amendment rights2017-12-19T16:09:30-06:00

Austin American-Statesman sues city of Austin over city manager secrecy

2017-11-01T02:33:58-05:00

By Philip Jankowski and Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 31, 2017 The American-Statesman has sued the city of Austin after officials denied requests under the Texas Public Information Act to disclose the identities of finalists for city manager. The Statesman filed the suit Tuesday in a Travis County district court as the Austin City Council began the first of two days of interviewing finalists. The lawsuit seeks disclosure of the city manager candidates’ names. The Statesman has independently confirmed the identities of four of the candidates. “The residents of Austin will be paying the salary for a new city manager, [...]

Austin American-Statesman sues city of Austin over city manager secrecy2017-11-01T02:33:58-05:00

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