Texas Open Meetings Act

Calhoun Port Authority in court filing denies it violated Open Meetings Act

FOIFT2018-06-25T21:15:57-05:00

The Victoria Advocate reported on June 22: The Calhoun Port Authority in a court filing has officially denied violating the Texas Open Meetings Act. At the same time, the port might be guilty of violating the law again with its posting of a special meeting next week, legal experts said. The port’s lawyer, Bill Cobb, of Austin, responded to the Victoria Advocate’s lawsuit by denying all its allegations. Read the full story here.

Calhoun Port Authority in court filing denies it violated Open Meetings ActFOIFT2018-06-25T21:15:57-05:00

Calhoun Port Authority’s hiring of Farenthold could be illegal

FOIFT2018-05-18T14:41:15-05:00

By Jessica Priest Victoria Advocate Originally published May 18, 2018 The Calhoun Port Authority apparently violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it hired former Congressman Blake Farenthold as its lobbyist. The Victoria Advocate is investigating its legal options in challenging the May 9 action on behalf of the public. “This is one of the most clear-cut examples of a notice violation that I’ve ever seen,” said longtime media attorney Joe Larsen, who serves on the board of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Larsen said the notice the port posted at the Calhoun County courthouse May 4 was too [...]

Calhoun Port Authority’s hiring of Farenthold could be illegalFOIFT2018-05-18T14:41:15-05:00

City of Odessa commits to closed-door meeting reform after newspaper’s lawsuit

FOIFT2018-03-21T12:50:59-05:00

By Corey Paul Odessa American Originally published March 20, 2018 The Odessa City Council will start keeping audio recordings of all closed-door meetings instead of written summaries, making it easier for the public to hold the officials to account if future violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act seem apparent. The agreement stems from a settlement between the City of Odessa and the Odessa American in a lawsuit filed by the newspaper in June 2017. The suit alleged that the City Council violated the state open meetings law weeks earlier, when a majority voted to oust the head of the board [...]

City of Odessa commits to closed-door meeting reform after newspaper’s lawsuitFOIFT2018-03-21T12:50:59-05:00

FOI Foundation to host Open Government Seminar, First Amendment Institute in Arlington

FOIFT2018-03-14T21:06:25-05:00

For Immediate Release AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Arlington on April 17, featuring training in public meeting and public records laws. A First Amendment Institute session also offered that day will instruct journalists on free press rights. The non-profit FOI Foundation, in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, is organizing the one-day Open Government Seminar on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. It is designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and anyone interested in the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. “Access to public information is crucial for [...]

FOI Foundation to host Open Government Seminar, First Amendment Institute in ArlingtonFOIFT2018-03-14T21:06:25-05:00

Appeals court reinstates Texas Open Meetings Act indictments against Montgomery County officials

FOIFT2018-02-08T15:37:09-06:00

By Mike Snyder Houston Chronicle Originally published Feb. 7, 2018 Less than a month before a fiercely contested Republican primary election, a state appeals court on Wednesday reinstated indictments alleging that two elected Montgomery County officials and a consultant violated the state's open meetings law. The 9th Court of Appeals reversed a decision by state District Judge Randy Clapp, who had dismissed the indictments last April in a ruling that found a portion of the Texas Open Meetings Act unconstitutional. The appeals court ordered Clapp to reconsider the indictments against County Judge Craig Doyal, Commissioner Charlie Riley and political consultant Marc [...]

Appeals court reinstates Texas Open Meetings Act indictments against Montgomery County officialsFOIFT2018-02-08T15:37:09-06:00

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