The Texas Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a lower court decision permitting a delayed response to a public records request — potentially negating a law that requires a response to requests within 10 business days. In refusing to consider the case of Hartman Newspapers against Fort Bend County, the high court opens the […]
Read More… from Editorial: Supreme Court denial threatens Texas public records access
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.
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A recent Texas Supreme Court ruling has made it easier for private companies to keep secret details of their contracts with the state and local governments, a move that public information advocates warn is ripe for abuse.
"It's one of the worst rulings to ever come out of the Texas Supreme Court," said Joe Larsen, an open government attorney who also serves on the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Continue…
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Read More… from Texas Supreme Court ruling shields contract details
In a 6-3 opinion with profound reach on the state's open government laws, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday decided that Greater Houston Partnership doesn't have to open its check registers, even though it receives funds from the city of Houston.
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Read More… from Texas: Supreme Court limits reach of open government law; GHP can keep books closed
