Joe Larsen

Victoria Advocate: Calhoun County delay tactics show sunshine laws need more teeth

2013-12-02T15:04:21-06:00

Victoria Advocate Editorial Board Originally published Nov. 30, 2013 Calhoun County's fight to keep public information away from the public is revealing in many ways. First, we're reminded yet again that government needs to be watched. These county commissioners and the Calhoun County district attorney aren't bad people by nature, but many public officials have an alarming tendency to forget they serve the public. Next, the Texas Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act need to be zealously guarded and enhanced. Only because of these laws do Calhoun taxpayers know their elected officials entered into a secret settlement with a former [...]

Victoria Advocate: Calhoun County delay tactics show sunshine laws need more teeth2013-12-02T15:04:21-06:00

FOI Foundation files brief supporting release of lawmaker’s records

2013-09-19T16:53:15-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in a brief filed with Attorney General Greg Abbott has urged that a lawmaker’s records related to the American Legislative Exchange Council be made public. The FOI Foundation brief supports the position of the Center for Media and Democracy, which sought to obtain records from Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, pertaining to ALEC, a conservative think tank. Klick and the American Legislative Exchange Council have argued to the attorney general that their communications are immune to release under the Texas Public Information Act. “The communications between Rep. Klick and ALEC are governmental information, to [...]

FOI Foundation files brief supporting release of lawmaker’s records2013-09-19T16:53:15-05:00

Fort Worth lawmaker tries to block request for information on dealings with conservative group

2013-09-30T03:09:02-05:00

By David Barer The Dallas Morning News Originally published Aug. 15, 2013 AUSTIN — A Fort Worth lawmaker has turned to the attorney general to block a request for information that could show her interactions with the American Legislative Exchange Council, an influential conservative think tank. The Center for Media and Democracy, a Wisconsin-based government watchdog group, requested through Texas public records laws in early July that state lawmakers release documents. All of the lawmakers complied with the request except Republican Rep. Stephanie Klick, said Brendan Fischer with the watchdog group. In a letter to the attorney general, Klick argues that [...]

Fort Worth lawmaker tries to block request for information on dealings with conservative group2013-09-30T03:09:02-05:00
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