Texas Public Information Act

Judge rules in favor of Odessa American, denies city request to dismiss public information lawsuit

FOIFT2020-10-13T19:40:23-05:00

By the Odessa AmericanOriginally published Oct. 12, 2020 A visiting state district judge has denied the City of Odessa’s request to dismiss a lawsuit by the Odessa American to force the city to comply with public information laws. It took only a few days for Judge Rodney Satterwhite to review arguments and rule Monday that the OA’s lawsuit should be allowed to proceed. Attorneys for the city wanted Satterwhite to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing in a hearing Thursday that as a matter of jurisdiction, the judge did not have the power to adjudicate the legal matter. But attorneys representing the newspaper [...]

Judge rules in favor of Odessa American, denies city request to dismiss public information lawsuitFOIFT2020-10-13T19:40:23-05:00

Transparency panel addresses open government concerns amid COVID-19 pandemic

FOIFT2020-10-07T23:38:19-05:00

Requestors seeking government records using the Texas Public Information Act are running into roadblocks during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel of journalists and open government experts addressed their concerns and questions during an online policy discussion Wednesday hosted by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini and co-hosted by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Texas Press Association. View a recording of online event on the senator's Facebook page. Several questions from audience members centered on government offices saying they are not filling Public Information Act requests because their offices are closed or are operating on [...]

Transparency panel addresses open government concerns amid COVID-19 pandemicFOIFT2020-10-07T23:38:19-05:00

Have you encountered a government blocking public information during the COVID-19 pandemic?

FOIFT2020-09-09T20:23:46-05:00

The FOI Foundation continues to hear from numerous Texans who have encountered barriers to obtaining public information amid the coronavirus pandemic. We are keeping track of these problems as we work on solutions for how the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act should function during such an unprecedented emergency. If you have encountered a governmental entity stating it will not respond to or fill a Public Information Act request because their office is physically closed or operating with a "skeleton crew" because staff members are working remotely, please let the FOI Foundation know. We also want to [...]

Have you encountered a government blocking public information during the COVID-19 pandemic?FOIFT2020-09-09T20:23:46-05:00

Why Austin ISD’s search for a new leader will remain confidential despite calls for transparency

FOIFT2020-07-20T15:47:48-05:00

By Melissa B. TaboadaAustin American-StatesmanOriginally published July 17, 2020 Days before the Austin school board is slated to select a new superintendent, several parents and community groups are making a final push to convince the school district to allow them to help vet the candidates in a selection process often shrouded in mystery. ... But the board has no plan to list the contenders, their answers to trustees’ interview questions or to slow down the process. Austin superintendent searches have widely varied, with some more transparent than others. Unlike the process for city managers and police chiefs, Texas law protects the [...]

Why Austin ISD’s search for a new leader will remain confidential despite calls for transparencyFOIFT2020-07-20T15:47:48-05:00

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

FOIFT2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

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 legislationFOIFT2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

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