1/ Alright folks, a thread on the sordid state of Texas’ Public Information Act (PIA), the law that gives you the right to access government documents, contracts and emails. "Access Denied" is @collins_reports' latest @TexasObserver feature: texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege 
2/ The PIA, passed after infamous Sharpstown Scandal in the 1970s, once was the gold standard of state open records laws. But since, #TxLege has hacked 63 exceptions into the law. State Supreme Court decisions, such as 2015’s Boeing v. Paxton, have further limited its usefulness.
3/ The Boeing ruling — that private companies and the gov’t can withhold public records if their release would put them at a disadvantage — has been cited in > 1,850 decisions blocking the release of info the public under AG Ken Paxton since 2015. texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege
4/ The ruling has been used to keep the public in the dark about a $265 million deal to build a new power plant in Denton, according to @DentonRC: dentonrc.com/news/denton-mu…
5/ To withhold a food service contract at Kemp ISD: texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/openr…
6/ And INCREDIBLY, to block the release of a completed contract between the city of McAllen and @enriqueiglesias.
texasobserver.org/access-denied/
texasobserver.org/access-denied/
7/ When @MitchellFerman of the @monitornews found out that the city lost $765,000 on the event it hired Iglesias for, he requested payment details but was denied under Boeing. themonitor.com/news/local/art…
8/ But alas, Boeing is just the latest iteration of a decades-long erosion of the PIA. Experts and seasoned investigative journalists say the law still has value, but it has lost some of its former power. texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege
9/ @Dexinvestigates of the @statesman, who has used to law to break huge statewide stories: “Every time I see [the law] whittled away, a little piece of me dies,” Dexheimer said. texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege
10/ @byjayroot of the @TexasTribune called erosions of the law “a slow unraveling of true transparency.”
“I find [the law] very useful and valuable. However, I have seen its usefulness diminish considerably over the years,” Root said. texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege
“I find [the law] very useful and valuable. However, I have seen its usefulness diminish considerably over the years,” Root said. texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege
11/ @John_Tedesco and @chrondigger also took some time with us to discuss the issue. They both said that while the law isn’t perfect, it’s still an essential tool in keeping the public informed. texasobserver.org/access-denied/ #txlege
12/ @TxFOIFT, other transparency advocates were unsuccessful this #txlege session in reversing damage done to the PIA. Reforms carried by @KirkPWatson sailed through the Senate, Rep. Gary Elkins killed House bills in the “transparency” committee he chairs: texasobserver.org/access-denied/
13/ More damage could be on the way — Fort Bend County has asked Elkins’ committee for a waiver from open meetings rules during an emergency, and Elkins’ suggested rules be waived anytime a hurricane is in the Gulf. For more on that:
14/ In closing, s/o to more of the people who talked to us/helped track down crazy redaction examples: @LeifReigstad, @CoreyTr, @ArifPanju, @phwolfeDRC, @peta, @sosalliance, @MelissaLaLinea, @DaveLieber, @GREY2KUSA, @glennevanslnj
Read the full story: texasobserver.org/access-denied/
Read the full story: texasobserver.org/access-denied/
