AUSTIN (KXAN) – The city of Austin will receive a report Tuesday on how open and transparent it is when it comes to some major decisions that impact residents’ tax dollars. The report is from an independent organization called Open Government Partnership. It tracks governments around the world. A local researcher spent the last year examining five…
Tag: texas foi
Celebrating ‘Sunshine Month’ in Texas
FOI Focus Winter 2018 Newsletter Celebrating ‘Sunshine Month’ in Texas Perhaps you’ve heard of “Sunshine Week.” It’s a national event held each March to celebrate access to public information and the people’s right to know. We’re doing our part in Texas to raise awareness for Sunshine Week, which is…
Changes in Texas open government law
From Mondaq: Governmental entities in Texas, and the companies that transact with them, should be aware of new changes in Texas “open government” law that may affect how they do business. On September 1, 2013, changes in state law became effective that are intended to make Texas “open government” law more open. These changes affect the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) and the obligations of public officials, employees and private companies to comply with Texas open records law.
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Texas AG says some redacted info can be released
From Temple Daily Telegram: Following an early July visit to the Bell County Sheriff’s Department to get copies of new jail administrator Nancy Botkin’s personnel file as part of a Public Information Act request, in September I received a mailed letter from the Texas Attorney General’s office regarding certain information that the sheriff’s office had redacted.
The information that was requested, with certain redactions, was mailed on July 9, within 10 days of the information request.
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Sunshine Week highlights need for openness
Every year, the American public’s right to know is marked with Sunshine Week. This year’s observance begins Sunday and runs through March 16.
Newspapers, which campaign incessantly for open government and freedom of information, will take the opportunity next week to remind readers and public officials of the laws that demand transparency in government.
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Texas Open Meetings Act upheld
From MySanAntonio.com:
In a victory for open government, a federal court Tuesday ruled against a lawsuit filed by Texas municipal officials who have been fighting for six years to escape criminal penalties for holding public meetings behind closed doors.
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State Bar of Texas sues Attorney General Greg Abbott over records in investigation into misused funds
From Texas Watchdog:
The State Bar of Texas is suing the office of Attorney General Greg Abbott over an open records decision earlier this month that gives a legal trade magazine access to records detailing an internal investigation by the state bar.
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Open Meetings Act meant to ensure full disclosure
From MyWestTexas.com:
We have been disappointed in the 15 city leaders who have challenged the Texas Open Meetings Act in court since 2009. We think this is an effort to protect elected officials from doing the public’s business in the open.
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