The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will award its prestigious James Madison Award to First Amendment attorney Laura Lee Prather. Prather is a board member and past-president of the FOI Foundation of Texas. She is a partner in the litigation section of Haynes and Boone LLP in Austin. The James Madison Award has been … Continue Reading
Members from the media, courts, and government talked about privacy and transparency during a panel discussion about a statewide case management system at the Freedom of Information of Texas annual conference on September 14 in downtown Austin. Currently about 200 judges use re:SearchTX, a secure web portal that includes all electronic filings as of January … Continue Reading
By Kelley Shannon We Texans have a history of straight talk and openness, and our state’s public information laws reflect it. Shining light on our government allows democracy to flourish. As we celebrate that light during national Sunshine Week from March 13-19, let’s be thankful that Texas laws value the public’s right to know through … Continue Reading
Attention journalists: There’s still time to submit your work for the 2016 Texas Gavel Awards. The State Bar of Texas is accepting entries in the print, broadcast, and online categories until 5 p.m. April 1. There is no entry fee. Texas Gavel Awards honor outstanding journalism that fosters public understanding of the legal system. The … Continue Reading
If you’ve seen news reports on suspicious state contracts or chemical waste pits or officials’ text messages in the Waco biker shootout, you may notice a recurring theme: government records obtained through the Texas Public Information Act. Fortunately, our state’s public information law, created in the early 1970s, presumes that government records are open unless … Continue Reading
A crowd of about 175 gathered Thursday at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas’ annual state conference and awards luncheon to honor legislators, advocates and award-winning journalists who push for transparency in government. Former Sen. Don Adams received the James Madison Award for his legacy; writing and passing the first Texas Open Records Act … Continue Reading
Former State Sen. Don Adams, who has for decades pushed for transparency in government, will receive the 2015 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award is given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government.… Continue Reading
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is accepting entries for the 2015 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award. The award recognizes outstanding work in promoting open government and the public's right to know.… Continue Reading
Starting today, the State Bar of Texas is accepting submissions for the 2015 Texas Gavel Awards, honoring journalism that fosters public understanding of the legal system. Entries published or broadcast during the 2014 calendar year will be accepted for the print, broadcast, and online categories until 5 p.m. April 1. Awards will be presented Sept. … Continue Reading
Journalists and legal professionals converged on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Hilton in downtown Austin to discuss public access to courts, social media use in open government, and new laws and best practices involving the Texas Public Information Act, as part of the 2014 Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference.… Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas honored winners of the 2013 Texas Gavel Awards on Friday during the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas's annual conference in Austin.… Continue Reading
