Kelley Shannon

Celebrate ‘Sunshine Week,’ cherish Texas transparency

2022-03-31T17:08:39-05:00

By Kelley Shannon FOI Foundation of Texas March 14, 2016 We Texans have a history of straight talk and openness, and our state’s public information laws reflect it. Shining light on our government allows democracy to flourish. As we celebrate that light during national Sunshine Week from March 13-19, let’s be thankful that Texas laws value the public’s right to know through broad access to records and meetings. But we cannot grow complacent. We must fight to keep the laws strong. Every year, there are attempts to chip away at our Texas transparency in the courts, at the Legislature and in [...]

Celebrate ‘Sunshine Week,’ cherish Texas transparency2022-03-31T17:08:39-05:00

El Paso council item to limit open records access criticized

2016-03-06T19:53:25-06:00

By Elida S. Perez El Paso Times Originally published March 5, 2016 The City Council will have what an expert said is a pointless discussion about trying to restrict a class of individuals from requesting city records through the Texas Public Information Act. “They can’t just take it upon themselves to cut off whole classes of people from requesting records,” said Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Executive Director Kelley Shannon. “They have to treat everyone equally under the law.” An item on Tuesday’s agenda, requested by city Rep. Emma Acosta, calls for "discussion and action regarding open records requests released to person(s) [...]

El Paso council item to limit open records access criticized2016-03-06T19:53:25-06:00

Chesapeake Energy wants settlement with Fort Worth school district kept secret

2016-03-04T14:17:24-06:00

By Max B. Baker Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published March 2, 2016 When the Fort Worth school district sued Chesapeake Energy two years ago, it accused the company of using sham arrangements and outright fraud to subtract an untold amount of money from its royalty payments. The lawsuit stressed that the missing cash was being taken from an entity that does its business in an “open, ethical and honorable manner” as it serves more than 80,000 students from kindergarten to high school. Chesapeake, it seemed to be saying, was almost taking the money from school children themselves. Chesapeake — now facing [...]

Chesapeake Energy wants settlement with Fort Worth school district kept secret2016-03-04T14:17:24-06:00

Concerns raised about accessibility of police body cam footage

2016-02-08T14:34:53-06:00

By St. John-Barned Smith Houston Chronicle Originally published Feb. 7, 2016 Months after statewide body camera legislation took effect and the Houston Police Department outlined its policies regarding the devices, local criminal justice watchdogs worry that some video from high-profile incidents may never see the light of day. At issue, they say, are provisions in the law that could stymie requests for camera footage, privacy protections, and local departmental reluctance to release information. When the Legislature passed SB 158 last year - easily in the House and with some opposition in the Senate - it was touted as a way to [...]

Concerns raised about accessibility of police body cam footage2016-02-08T14:34:53-06:00

When seeking public records, know your rights, responsibilities

2022-03-31T17:08:40-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas If you’ve seen news reports on suspicious state contracts or chemical waste pits or officials’ text messages in the Waco biker shootout, you may notice a recurring theme: Government records obtained through the Texas Public Information Act. Fortunately, our state’s public information law, created in the early 1970s, presumes government records are open unless a specific exemption in the law keeps the documents off limits. The public has a right to know. That means all citizens - not only journalists - can access government records. “It’s very easy,” said award-winning [...]

When seeking public records, know your rights, responsibilities2022-03-31T17:08:40-05:00

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  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

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