Sen. Kirk Watson

Texas Senate gambit to restore ailing public records law fails as House rejects amendments

2017-05-18T23:40:58-05:00

By J. David McSwane The Dallas Morning News Originally published May 18, 2017 AUSTIN – Hopes of strengthening the Texas public records law, weakened in recent years by court rulings and attorney general opinions, were dashed Thursday as Republican House Speaker Joe Straus rejected a Senate maneuver to salvage bills that were dying in his chamber. Last week, the Senate approved a half dozen amendments to a somewhat related House bill – including a measure to restore ordinary citizens' right to access contracts between businesses and their government – and sent back a very different bill to the House. Straus determined those amendments, authored by Sen. [...]

Texas Senate gambit to restore ailing public records law fails as House rejects amendments2017-05-18T23:40:58-05:00

Texas House members have chance to save open government

2022-03-31T17:08:35-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Keeping our Texas Public Information Act operating effectively takes effort. That’s why open government advocates have worked with public officials and businesses over the past year to fine tune the landmark state law. Transparency legislation resulting from these work sessions emerged out of frank discussions – and with an understanding that some compromise is necessary. Now, state lawmakers have the opportunity to pass multiple negotiated open government measures to improve the Public Information Act and restore its strength, for the benefit of all Texans. The Texas Senate took a stand Thursday by [...]

Texas House members have chance to save open government2022-03-31T17:08:35-05:00

Texas Senate approves open government measures, sends them to House

2017-05-12T04:08:22-05:00

After several major open government measures stalled in the House Government Transparency and Operation Committee a few days ago, the Texas Senate breathed new life into the legislation Thursday by adding the bills onto a Texas Public Information Act proposal. Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, amended House Bill 2328 by Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville, on the Senate floor. Included in the amendments were issues contained in legislation by Watson, Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake. The bottomline: Bills that address the troubling Boeing ruling and Greater Houston Partnership ruling by the Texas Supreme Court are now revived, [...]

Texas Senate approves open government measures, sends them to House2017-05-12T04:08:22-05:00

San Antonio Express-News: Lawmakers should let in sunshine

2017-05-08T14:49:47-05:00

San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board Originally published May 7, 2017 Make no mistake: If state lawmakers leave a number of open government bills hanging this session, the public will be left in the dark. A number of promising bills to make government more accountable and open to the public have been filed, but they were all, as of this writing, pending in committee. The legislation addresses any number of tricks public officials use to either keep the public in the dark or muddy the official record. Open government benefits everyone except bad actors, and these bills are worthy of bipartisan support. [...]

San Antonio Express-News: Lawmakers should let in sunshine2017-05-08T14:49:47-05:00

Guest column: Tell legislators openness needed in government

2017-04-29T04:49:18-05:00

By Donnis Baggett Published in the Houston Chronicle Originally published April 28, 2017 There's no question Texans are suspicious of government. That's why virtually everyone who ran for the Legislature last year sang the patriotic song of transparency. Unfortunately, campaign season is now a distant memory. Lawmakers have spent four months in the company of lobbyists who are good at convincing legislators that the interests of their clients are more important than open government. A tabernacle-sized choir singing the chorus of transparency has dwindled to a small combo that could rehearse in a two-car garage. It's time for the others who [...]

Guest column: Tell legislators openness needed in government2017-04-29T04:49:18-05:00

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