Sunshine Week Highlights Public Records Gaps in State Legislatures
The AP found many state legislatures exempt themselves from public records laws, citing legislative immunity or deliberative processes. While debates are public, closed caucus meetings and restrictions on photos persist in numerous states, hindering accountability and disclosure of influence on policy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Peter Scheer
The
First Amendment Coalition
San Rafael
Bult
Massachusetts
Washington, D.C
Congress
Charles Davis
College of Jour
Texas lawmakers' mixed bag response to open records
The Associated Press request for Texas lawmakers daily schedules and emails for Feb 17 drew varied results. Lt Gov Dan Patrick released 48 pages of mostly conference invitations and a legal news service newsletter while withholding others and seeking AG opinion. Abbott provided seven blank pages and exempted emails. Whitmire did not respond. Coleman released 700 plus pages detailing meetings both official and non official. Other states show similar patterns as governors sometimes disclose while lawmakers shield records.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Texas
Dan Patrick
Senate
Patrick
Houston
John Whitmire
Chamber
Garnet Coleman
State House
Greg Abbott
Chris Kyle
Baytown council updates federal priorities for second half of 114th Congress
The Baytown City Council revised federal and state priorities, directing staff to engage with lawmakers. Key items include full remediation of the San Jacinto Waste Pits, opposing ozone standard rollbacks, and funding to reconfigure I-10 ramps to divert traffic from Garth Road. Workforce development remains a broader, ongoing aim.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baytown
Nick Woolery
Environmental Protection Agency
San Jacinto
Woolery
John Martin Road
Garth Road
San Jacinto Boulevard
Also Mentioned on This Page
State
BY David A.lieb
Nalism and Mass Communication
University of Georgia
National Freedom of Information Coalition
Missouri
Ron Richard
Richard
Press Association
Mississippi
Philip Gunn
Illinois
Mark
Betty Dyson
Eastside
Massey Rompkins
Remax
Money&Markets
Dow Jones Industrials
Dow Jones Indust
Jones
Mance
Sil
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
China
U.S
Trai
Scott
Frida
By Ini
Icted
DAL
AL RR
Standard & Poor
BlackRock
Corp
Lehrman
Wely Att Inc
Allstate
AEP
Ashland
Atmel
BP PLC
Boeing
Chevron
Cisco
Citigroup
CocaCola
ConAgra
ConocoPhil
Conéd
CrownHold
Disney
ConChm
DuPont
DukeEngy
EMC Cp
EnPro
EntProdPt
ExxonMbi
Fordm
Gene Lec
HP Inc
Intel
Krogers
Microsoft
MorgStan
NRG Egg
OcciPet
Pfizer
Tenneco
Unilerm
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