Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) – Page 3 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

City website a good first step toward government transparency

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Fulfilling a campaign promise by Mayor Betsy Price, Fort Worth is jumping on the open data government bandwagon. Last month, the city launched an online portal that provides direct access to a wellspring of public information.

Open data sites like the city’s new data.fortworthtexas.gov are based on the principle that government data is a public asset — like parks and roads — and should be made readily available to everyone.

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Texas Freedom of Information group honors citizens

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Robert and Maureen Decherd received the John Henry Faulk Award for Civic Virtue Friday from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The former chairman, president and chief executive of The Dallas Morning News’ parent company, A.H. Belo Corporation, was a founder of the foundation that honored him. He served as its first president from 1978 to 1981.

The foundation periodically bestows the award to Texans who show outstanding civic involvement and enlightened philanthropy. It is named after the author and humorist who fought for free speech.

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Texas Attorney General Orders Camera Company To Produce Documents

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Cities and their photo enforcement contractors are often reluctant to respond to freedom of information act requests. Odessa, Texas did its best to suppress a request for emails between city employees and American Traffic Solutions (ATS) by allowing the vendor to argue it was exempt from handing over the documents.

"Information is excepted from the requirements of [the public disclosure law] if it is information that, if released, would give advantage to a competitor or bidder," states Section 552.104 of the Texas Government Code, which ATS cited.

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Texas AG’s office says legislative documents must be released

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From Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office has ruled that a state lawmaker’s documents related to the American Legislative Exchange Council must be made public.

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New laws clearly aimed at boosting government transparency in Texas

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From San Antonio Express: AUSTIN — As the dust settles on the 83rd Texas Legislature, open government advocates are applauding new laws they say leverage evolving technology to increase access and shine light on all levels of government for both residents and officials.

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FOIFT awards inaugural Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award

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From Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas: Prominent Texas legislators urged Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas conference attendees Friday to remain vigilant in their open government and free speech advocacy.

Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, who received the organization’s inaugural Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award, said he was raised in a family that valued free speech and noted that many elected officials support open government and First Amendment rights.

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FOIFT names Rep. Todd Hunter Open Government Lawmaker of the Year

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AUSTIN, Texas — Rep. Todd Hunter, who has authored legislation to improve public access to government and protect First Amendment rights, is receiving the Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.

Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is chairman of the House Calendars Committee. He served in the House from 1989-97 and returned in 2009. He has long been an advocate for open government. Hunter will receive the award during the FOI Foundation’s annual conference Aug. 9 in Austin.

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Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas announces James Madison Award recipients

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From FOIFT: Former El Paso Times reporter Zahira Torres and editor Robert Moore will be honored next month with Texas' most prestigious open-government award for their work exposing cheating at the El Paso Independent School District.

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Texas open records law updates urged

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From MySanAntonio.com:

AUSTIN (Nov 26, 2012) — The state's 40-year-old law designed to keep government in the open needs a few tweaks to catch up with modern technology, open government advocates told a Texas Senate committee Monday.

The law should clarify, for example, that emails and text messages that public officials send from private accounts must be open for public review if the content is in any way related to public business.

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Read More… from Texas open records law updates urged

Texas advocates to push public information act

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From Standard-Times:

AUSTIN (Nov 25, 2012) — When Texas lawmakers meet, freedom of information advocates try to expand citizen access to government — and fight against proposals that block information.

That lobby effort is under way for the 2013 legislative session, when open government watchdogs will try to build on recent victories while battling bills that would place more limits on the Texas Public Information Act.

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Read More… from Texas advocates to push public information act