FOI Foundation receives grant for open government guidebook

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas has been awarded a grant of $3,500 from the Texas Bar Foundation to produce a concise guidebook on state open government laws and the public’s right to know.

The “Guide to Texas Open Records and Open Meetings Laws” will be available in printed form at FOI Foundation of Texas events beginning later this year. It will also be published online.

This guidebook will provide handy highlights of the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. It’s designed to enhance the FOI Foundation’s training sessions and other outreach programs across the state.

“We continually try to find ways to help Texans better understand open government laws so that they can fully participate in our democracy,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. “The Texas Bar Foundation grant will help us achieve that goal.”

Educational outreach programs offered by the FOI Foundation of Texas include an annual state conference, open government training seminars and presentations to student and civic groups. The foundation’s Light of Day project assists college journalists in using open government laws. All of these programs emphasize citizens’ rights and responsibilities under the law. Visit foift.org for more information.