Texas Attorney General’s Office

Newspaper highlights its best uses of Texas Public Information Act in 2020

2021-01-11T20:51:58-06:00

By Marshall ReidDenton Record-ChronicleOriginally published Dec. 29, 2020 Each year, Denton Record-Chronicle reporters send dozens of requests for public information, a quasi-formal process to obtain hard-to-obtain information from government agencies. Requests range from routine contract requests to more complicated asks that often get bumped to the Texas Attorney General’s Office for guidance. Read the full story here about some of the best uses of the Texas Public Information Act by the Record-Chronicle in 2020.

Newspaper highlights its best uses of Texas Public Information Act in 20202021-01-11T20:51:58-06:00

Texas HHSC to release names and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks

2020-08-26T21:57:28-05:00

After the Texas Attorney General's Office rejected most of the secrecy arguments made by the state Health and Human Services Commission, the agency is now the releasing the names and locations of nursing homes and state living facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, journalists and interested citizens requested the information under the Texas Public Information Act. The FOI Foundation and others made it clear they were not seeking information that would identify individual patients. The attorney general's open records division issued a ruling July 6 rejecting almost all of the HHSC's arguments for withholding the facility [...]

Texas HHSC to release names and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks2020-08-26T21:57:28-05:00

Attorney general rules identities and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks must be released

2020-07-20T16:37:05-05:00

AUSTIN - In a strong ruling for open government, the Texas Attorney General's Office has rejected most arguments presented by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for concealing information on nursing home names and locations where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred. The attorney general ruling on July 6 required release of the bulk of information requested earlier this year by numerous organizations and individuals. The non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and others called on state and local officials to reveal the names and locations of nursing homes and long-term care facilities where cases and/or deaths from COVID-19 have been [...]

Attorney general rules identities and locations of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks must be released2020-07-20T16:37:05-05:00

Travis County trying to withhold information about its opposition to open records legislation

2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

By John EngelKXANOriginally published July 13, 2020 Travis County will ask the Attorney General’s office whether it can withhold communication about a police transparency bill that the county registered in opposition to in 2019. In response to a KXAN public information request regarding county communication about House Bill 147, which aimed to close the so-called dead suspect loophole, a county attorney said he will request guidance from the Attorney General as to whether the information has to be released under public records law. The loophole is an exemption in Texas public records law that allows law enforcement agencies to withhold information [...]

Travis County trying to withhold information about its opposition to open records legislation2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecy

2020-04-09T15:19:38-05:00

By Jessica PriestUSA Today NetworkOriginally published April 8, 2020 Read the full story here. Thirty-five states have temporarily altered open government laws to curb the spread of coronavirus, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis of government press releases, newspaper articles and information collected by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the National Governors Association. The agencies in these states — from the smallest municipal bodies to the biggest government entities — now can hold meetings remotely. Some allow public comment only in writing, as in Fuller’s case. They’re also delaying public records requests. Read the full story [...]

Reporters barred. Records delayed. How coronavirus shrouded local government in secrecy2020-04-09T15:19:38-05:00

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