Freedom of Information Foundation

Greg Abbott facing questions on open government

2014-10-07T14:26:15-05:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 4, 2014 Greg Abbott was the toast of open government advocates early in his 12-year tenure as attorney general, but recent decisions in favor of tighter secrecy have prompted some to re-evaluate his commitment to transparency. Since May, Abbott’s agency has reversed policy by allowing Texas to keep secret the source of its execution drugs and withhold inventory reports listing businesses that stockpile dangerous chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, the compound that exploded in the town of West, killing 15 in 2013. Abbott’s Democratic opponent in the race for governor, Wendy Davis, recently questioned [...]

Greg Abbott facing questions on open government2014-10-07T14:26:15-05:00

Temple Daily Telegram outlines rights, responsibilities in open records requests

2014-01-13T13:34:36-06:00

By JANICE GIBBS Temple Daily Telegram Originally published Oct. 14, 2013 Most information generated by a governmental entity, with a few exceptions, is public. “People need to remember the government works for them, we elect the government, we’re a democracy,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. “They should go in confidently knowing they have a right to review information they are asking for.” Any written request needs to be specific. “If it’s too broad, it doesn’t help the government official find the information you’re looking for and help you get that information,” she said. The [...]

Temple Daily Telegram outlines rights, responsibilities in open records requests2014-01-13T13:34:36-06:00
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