San Antonio City Council

Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some cases

FOIFT2020-04-13T15:21:43-05:00

By Joshua FechterSan Antonio Express-NewsOriginally published April 13, 2020 Democracy at the local level usually involves elected officials weighing policy within arm’s reach of each other, residents delivering impassioned remarks at a lectern, oblivious to the microphone’s cleanliness, and voters filing into libraries and schools. But the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus has forced elected officials to try to strike a balance between open government and the need for everyone to keep their distance from each another — a key tool in slowing the spread of the virus but not conducive to public participation. “The virus doesn’t care about democracy,” [...]

Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some casesFOIFT2020-04-13T15:21:43-05:00

San Antonio City Council closed meeting spurs debate on transparency, Texas law

FOIFT2018-05-30T14:43:53-05:00

By Jan Ross Piedad Texas Public Radio Originally published May 24, 2018 Texas Public Radio's program "The Source" recently focused on the dispute sparked when the San Antonio City Council met behind closed doors to discuss whether the city should submit a bid to host the Republican National Convention in 2020. Joe Larsen, an attorney on the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board, was one of the program's guests. See the full story and listen to the radio program at the link below. http://tpr.org/post/san-antonio-city-council-closed-door-meeting-spurs-debate-transparency-texas-law

San Antonio City Council closed meeting spurs debate on transparency, Texas lawFOIFT2018-05-30T14:43:53-05:00

San Antonio council’s closed-door meeting on GOP convention a ‘blatant mistake’

FOIFT2018-05-08T14:14:03-05:00

By Brian Chasnoff San Antonio Express-News Originally published May 8, 2018 San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg opted last week to convene the City Council behind closed doors to discuss whether the city should submit a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention. Made in private, the council’s controversial decision not to pursue the event likely violated the Texas Open Meetings Act — regardless of whether the council arrived at that decision by vote, experts said. “Wow. That’s a pretty blatant mistake,” said Bill Aleshire, an Austin-based attorney whose law practice is focused on government transparency and accountability. Read the full [...]

San Antonio council’s closed-door meeting on GOP convention a ‘blatant mistake’FOIFT2018-05-08T14:14:03-05:00

Questions Raised About San Antonio Council’s Closed Door Decision

FOIFT2017-06-13T15:58:24-05:00

By Shelley D. Kofler Texas Public Radio Originally published June 2, 2017 Have City of San Antonio officials violated the Texas Open Meetings Act? That’s a question being raised after council members decided in a closed executive session to sue the state over its new sanctuary cities law, instead of voting on the decision in a public meeting. At least three city officials or their spokespersons say that last week during an executive session, city council members and staff met and discussed whether the San Antonio City Council should sue the state to stop the implementation of its new sanctuary cities [...]

Questions Raised About San Antonio Council’s Closed Door DecisionFOIFT2017-06-13T15:58:24-05:00

Did San Antonio council members reign in Spain?

FOIFT2016-06-06T15:23:04-05:00

By Kenric Ward Watchdog.org Originally published June 6, 2016 An overseas trade mission by members of the San Antonio City Council is taking flack from critics who say it skirted Texas’ open-meeting law. Six voting members of the council - constituting a quorum - traveled to Spain last month. The trip was announced in advance, with a declaration that "no official city action will be taken during this mission." With no reporters or members of the public present to verify the council’s pledge, skeptics aren’t assuaged. The Texas Open Meetings Act “requires a meeting of a governmental body to be held [...]

Did San Antonio council members reign in Spain?FOIFT2016-06-06T15:23:04-05:00

CONTACT INFO

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

Contact Info

Latest News