Texas Open Meetings Act

Weslaco commissioners plead not guilty to Open Meetings Act charges

FOIFT2014-03-07T16:49:14-06:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Originally published March 6, 2014 EDINBURG — Weslaco city commissioners argued Thursday that they did not violate theTexas Open Meetings Act during a controversial November meeting. Mayor Pro Tem John Cuellar, commissioners David Fox, Lupe Rivera and Jerry Tafolla and former Commissioner Joe Martinez appeared before 139thstate District Judge Bobby Flores Thursday. All entered pleas of “not guilty.” A grand jury last week indicted the five commissioners and they have already checked in and out of the Hidalgo County jail after each person’s personal recognizance bond was set at $2,500. The charges are Class B misdemeanors punishable by a $100 to $500 [...]

Weslaco commissioners plead not guilty to Open Meetings Act chargesFOIFT2014-03-07T16:49:14-06:00

Indictments filed against Weslaco commissioners over alleged open meetings violation

FOIFT2014-02-26T21:28:17-06:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Published Feb. 25-26, 2014 Update on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 11:52 am: Documents unsealed this morning have confirmed indictments against several Weslaco commissioners. Lupe Rivera, John Cuellar, David Fox, Joe Martinez and Jerry Tafolla are accused of defying the Texas Open Meetings Act after having kicked the public out of a meeting. A judge set personal recognizance bonds at $2,500. --- Published Feb. 25, 2014, 8:56 p.m.: EDINBURG — Weslaco city leaders learned that indictments against them accusing them of defying of the Texas Open Meetings Act would be unsealed Wednesday, a city commissioner’s lawyer said. [...]

Indictments filed against Weslaco commissioners over alleged open meetings violationFOIFT2014-02-26T21:28:17-06:00

Questions raised about whether Collin commissioners’ meeting with Cruz violated law

FOIFT2014-02-17T15:15:22-06:00

By Wendy Hundley The Dallas Morning News Originally published Feb. 14, 2014 Questions have been raised about whether a recent meeting involving a quorum of Collin County commissioners violated the Texas Open Meetings Act. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz met with a number of local elected officials on Feb. 7 at the Commissioners Court in McKinney. There was no public notice of the meeting, where water, transportation, economic development and other issues were discussed. County Judge Keith Self, who attended the meeting with Commissioners Mark Reid and Chris Hill, said public notice wasn’t needed. “It wasn’t an official Commissioners Court meeting, and [...]

Questions raised about whether Collin commissioners’ meeting with Cruz violated lawFOIFT2014-02-17T15:15:22-06:00

Weslaco leaders subpoenaed to appear before grand jury in closed meeting case

FOIFT2014-02-10T15:36:57-06:00

By Elizabeth Findell The Monitor Originally published Feb. 7, 2014 WESLACO — Five current and former city commissioners will go before an Hidalgo County grand jury Tuesday to make the case why they shouldn’t be indicted for kicking the public out of a public meeting. City leaders drew a crowd when they called the special meeting in November, after the election but before new members had been sworn in. Mayor Pro Tem John Cuellar—who was presiding over the meeting — ordered the room cleared after critics of his slate and allies of the minority began laughing and shouting. Police Chief Michael [...]

Weslaco leaders subpoenaed to appear before grand jury in closed meeting caseFOIFT2014-02-10T15:36:57-06:00

FOI Foundation to co-host Open Government Seminar in El Paso

FOIFT2014-01-22T17:03:02-06:00

AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas announced details Wednesday of an upcoming Open Government Seminar in El Paso 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 Feb. 28. It is 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. “We are pleased to provide training on Texas’ open government laws, which are essential tools for citizens as [...]

FOI Foundation to co-host Open Government Seminar in El PasoFOIFT2014-01-22T17:03:02-06:00

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