Texas Public Information Act

Court rulings taking a toll on Texas public records access

2022-03-31T17:08:38-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Those of us who keep a close eye on Texas’ evolving open government laws watch the state Legislature for signs of change. We also look at how local and state government agencies carry out these laws to see if they are working. But we must focus on the courts, too. Troubling rulings by the Texas Supreme Court and lower courts are watering down our Texas Public Information Act, long considered one of the strongest in the nation. The momentous law, which originated as the Texas Open Records Act in the early 1970s amid citizen frustration after the Sharpstown [...]

Court rulings taking a toll on Texas public records access2022-03-31T17:08:38-05:00

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State Fair

2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Editorial The Dallas Morning News Originally published July 15, 2016 When the Dallas Park and Recreation Board next meets to discuss Mayor Mike Rawlings’ plan to turn over management of Fair Park to the new Fair Park Texas Foundation, the public will be invited. The notes and records that come out of the meeting will be preserved and made available if requested. And when the board finally votes, probably next month, residents who will have to live with the decision will be invited to watch. That's the beauty of Texas' imperfect but absolutely vital open-government laws. That openness should not disappear [...]

Editorial: Why Dallas needs more transparency from new Fair Park Foundation, State Fair2016-07-18T14:43:47-05:00

Texas Supreme Court ruling helps bar the door to public release of company records

2016-05-04T13:51:30-05:00

By Dug Begley Houston Chronicle Originally published May 3, 2016 A Texas Supreme Court decision last year that one open records advocate said "blew a hole in the Texas Public Information Act" has been used in the past few months to shield records ranging from Uber's driver information in Houston to how much singer Enrique Iglesias was paid for a McAllen Christmas concert. The 7-1 decision, in the Boeing v. Paxton case, was issued on June 19. In it, the justices decided businesses can assert in Texas that information they turn over to a government agency that could give competitors an [...]

Texas Supreme Court ruling helps bar the door to public release of company records2016-05-04T13:51:30-05:00

Open Government Seminar to be held May 3 in Conroe

2016-04-28T20:21:00-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host an Open Government Seminar in Conroe, north of Houston, on Tuesday, May 3, featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, will offer the one-day seminar designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and members of the general public who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. Register by clicking here or on the Activities and Programs section of the FOI Foundation website. The event begins at 9 a.m. with the [...]

Open Government Seminar to be held May 3 in Conroe2016-04-28T20:21:00-05:00

Travis County public records fight will head to court after phone plea, banquet invite fail

2016-04-22T15:25:33-05:00

By Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published April 19, 2016 Travis County will file a lawsuit to fight the release of information concerning its Workforce Development Re-Entry program after a phone call from County Judge Sarah Eckhardt failed to persuade a local activist to withdraw a public information request. Zenobia Joseph, a former teacher, sent the county a request in December seeking information on the county program, which helps find jobs for people with criminal records. She said she became interested after the county issued a proclamation in November praising 80 local employers willing to hire ex-offenders at wages of at [...]

Travis County public records fight will head to court after phone plea, banquet invite fail2016-04-22T15:25:33-05:00

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