Joseph Larsen

AG: Dallas County booking records can be kept secret

2015-11-16T23:09:45-06:00

By Terri Langford The Texas Tribune Originally published Nov. 16, 2015 A ruling from the Texas Attorney General's office has just made it more difficult to access information about the kinds of crimes undocumented immigrants have committed in Dallas County — and whether local officials turned those offenders over to federal authorities. In a Nov. 13 ruling, the AG's office determined that because the Dallas County Sheriff's Office booking system is maintained for use by the court system, it is not subject to the Texas Public Information Act. The ruling was in response to a request from The Texas Tribune for [...]

AG: Dallas County booking records can be kept secret2015-11-16T23:09:45-06:00

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinance

2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Oct. 20, 2015 The Denton City Council kicked a questionable 10-year-old ordinance to its ethics committee Tuesday, after failing to agree to repeal it or even on how to modify it. The ordinance criminalizes speech for council members who talk about city business deemed “confidential.” The Texas Freedom of Information Foundation wrote the city a letter in August saying the ordinance is likely unconstitutional. The council also moved forward new rules for tow truck operators and heard two hours of testimony over the location for the Eagle electrical substation. The council had not made [...]

Denton council fails to agree on speech ordinance2015-10-21T15:06:46-05:00

FOI Foundation: Denton ordinance likely illegal

2015-09-01T13:17:06-05:00

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe Denton Record-Chronicle Originally published Aug. 31, 2015 A 10-year-old city of Denton ordinance that could make criminals of City Council members who talk about City Hall secrets is probably illegal, according to the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation, which has called for the ordinance’s repeal. Houston attorney Joseph Larsen wrote the City Council a two-page letter last week on behalf of the foundation, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for open government. In the letter, Larsen detailed how the ordinance compromises the First Amendment free-speech rights of council members, the public and the press. The ordinance also usurps and [...]

FOI Foundation: Denton ordinance likely illegal2015-09-01T13:17:06-05:00

Texas A&M refuses to release animal testing records; AG agrees

2015-07-20T13:21:53-05:00

By Nicole Cobler Houston Chronicle Originally published July 19, 2015 AUSTIN - Backed by a legal opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas A&M University is refusing to divulge information about dozens of animals used in lab testing. At least 40 people have requested daily care logs and health records of cats and dogs used in research. But a recent attorney general's opinion maintains veterinarian-patient privilege and allows the university to withhold the records, presenting a unique roadblock and a "terrible precedent" that other Texas universities might follow, animal rights activists said. "Almost every other state that has a veterinarian-patient statute [...]

Texas A&M refuses to release animal testing records; AG agrees2015-07-20T13:21:53-05:00

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