Kelley Shannon

Texas journalists battle for media access

FOIFT2014-09-29T14:01:49-05:00

By Lena Williams Right to Report Originally published Sept. 24 A year ago, the Texas Legislature amended the state’s Public Information Act to give citizens and journalists greater access to public records and the discussions of public officials. Gov. Rick Perry signed it into law, but did he mean it? Officials across Texas are circumventing some of the key provisions of the state’s 41-year-old Public Information Act, considered by many First Amendment advocates to be one of the strongest in the country. Requests that have been refused in recent months include access to Perry’s travel records, as well as certain court [...]

Texas journalists battle for media accessFOIFT2014-09-29T14:01:49-05:00

First Amendment rights, open government essential to democracy

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:45-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Sept. 4, 2014 Defending the U.S. Constitution is popular these days, when it centers on gun rights, states’ rights or search and seizure protections. As we guard the principles of our nation’s founders, let’s not overlook the all-important First Amendment of the Constitution and its guarantee of free speech and free press, which, along with public access to government information, are crucial to our democracy. The non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has been fighting for these First Amendment liberties and the doctrine of open government since the foundation [...]

First Amendment rights, open government essential to democracyFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:45-05:00

Commentary: Know Texas’ open records laws

FOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:47-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Guest Columnist The Monitor Originally published June 9, 2014 Picture yourself attending a local government meeting because you’re curious about the hiring of a new city manager. Suddenly, city commissioners go into a closed-door session to talk secretly. Can they do that? Is it legal? Or, let’s say, you’ve requested information from your school district about its classroom curriculum. You are told obtaining those documents will cost hundreds of dollars. What can you do? Conversely, if you are a public official, what does the law allow you to charge for a large and time-consuming public records request? These [...]

Commentary: Know Texas’ open records lawsFOIFT2022-03-31T17:08:47-05:00

FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar in Rio Grande Valley

FOIFT2014-05-06T16:37:11-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar for Rio Grande Valley residents featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on Tuesday, June 17, in McAllen. It's designed for government employees, journalists and members of the general public who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. “Texas open government laws provide important guidelines for public employees and essential tools for citizens as they participate in [...]

FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar in Rio Grande ValleyFOIFT2014-05-06T16:37:11-05:00

Attorney General closes case against Victoria City Council

ashleywp2022-04-07T16:12:45-05:00

Melissa Crowe Victoria Advocate Originally published September 14, 2013 The attorney general's office is closing its open records investigation against the city of Victoria. Four months ago, a public information complaint was filed against the city of Victoria and one former and three current City Council members for records that have yet to be released In a letter dated Sept. 10, Assistant Texas Attorney General Neal Falgoust said the state would close the case against the city of Victoria. The enforcement authority of the attorney general's office does not include on-site inspections of records held by another governmental office, according to [...]

Attorney General closes case against Victoria City Councilashleywp2022-04-07T16:12:45-05:00

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