FOI Focus
Fall 2013 Newsletter

Message from the Executive Director
 
Greetings from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. I'm pleased to re-introduce the quarterly newsletter FOI Focus in this new online format.

 

At the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas office in Austin, we hear from journalists and all sorts of other Texans who seek the public records and meeting access they need to participate in our democracy and keep a watch on government.  

 

We are ready to assist you. Check out resources on our new website at  http://foift.org/. If you are looking for an open government speaker for your community group or classroom, feel free to call us. Let us know if you are interested in organizing a more in-depth Open Government Seminar. And consider clicking on the Donate Now button to financially support our mission. 

 

I look forward to hearing from you about what we can do together to promote open government in Texas.

 

Kelley Shannon

Executive Director
 
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
Kelley Shannon
Executive Director
 
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Open government in the news

Photo by Beth Cortez-Neavel.
The Temple Daily Telegram published an extensive package of news stories in October examining Texas Public Information Act compliance among area governments. The series included tips for all Texans who seek to use the law. Read the articles here.

Several news organizations reported on open government and press freedom laws passed this year by the 83rd Legislature. These include important updates to the state's Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act. First Amendment attorney and FOIFT board member Laura Prather details these new laws in the Legislature section of our website.
From the legal front

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas filed comments with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office in two recent notable open government cases.

FOIFT supported the Center for Media and Democracy in its contention that a Texas legislator's communications with the American Legislative Exchange Council think tank should be public. The AG's office agreed. In a September ruling, it denied requests by ALEC and Rep. Stephanie Klick to keep the documents secret. See more details in the Legal Cases section of our website.

The foundation also weighed in on behalf of the Victoria Advocate, which is attempting to obtain a full copy of a Calhoun County settlement agreement in a federal employment discrimination case. The matter remains pending before the Attorney General's Office. Read more...  
About FOIFT

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas works to encourage a greater appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the First Amendment and helps to ensure that the public's business is conducted in public. FOIFT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Austin, Texas.
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas 
3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302 
Austin, Texas 78705