Texas Press Association

Serving Texas Newspapers Since 1880

 
Free Flow Act heads to governor

The state House Thursday voted 146-0 to concur in Senate amendments to the Texas Free Flow of Information Act. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Perry for a signature.

On Tuesday the Senate had unanimously passed the bill that would give reporters a qualified privilege from being compelled to disclose confidential sources and material. The bill ensures the free flow of information to the public through the media to expose government abuse, corporate malfeasance and enhance the health, safety and welfare of all.

Passage of a free flow act in Texas was a longtime coming — other free flow bills had been proposed but failed in previous legislative sessions. Journalists and local prosecutors had long been divided on the issue, said attorney Laura Prather, who led negotiations on behalf of the TPA and Texas Daily Newspaper Association.

Texas now is on the verge of joining 36 other states that provide some type of reporter's privilege and free flow law.

The bill (CSHB 670) was authored by Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer, D-San Antonio. Sens. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, sponsored the bill in the Senate.

Check the FFOIA clearinghouse for more information about the act in Texas.
 

March 2010

Event Calendar

March Promotions

American Red Cross Month
Steroid Abuse Prevention Month
Irish American Heritage Month
National Women's History Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
National Umbrella Month
National Optimism Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Nutrition Month
National Craft Month
National Eye Donor Month
Save Your Vision Month
Sports Eye Safety Month
Patient Safety Awareness Month
March 1-7 Return The Borrowed Books Week
March 2 Texas Independence Day
March 7-13 National Sleep Awareness Week
March 8 International Women's Day
March 10-16 National Girl Scout Week
March 14-20 National Poison Prevention Week
March 17 St. Patrick's Day
March 22-26 Youth Violence Prevention Week
March 24 World TB Day

April Promotions
National Oral Health Month
March for Babies
National Occupational Therapy Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Stress Awareness Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
National Car Care Month
Facial Protection Month
Train Safety Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Youth Sports Safety Month
Cancer Control Month
National Autism Awareness Month
April 1 April Fools Day
April 4 Easter
April 4-10 National Window Safety Week
April 5-11 National Public Health Week
April 8 National D.A.R.E. Day
April 12-18 National Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week
April 17 World Hemophilia Day
April 18-24 Administrative Professionals Week
April 19-24 Consumer Awareness Week
April 21 San Jacinto Day
April 21 Administrative Professionals Day
April 22 Earth Day
April 25-30 National Playground Safety Week

Network Sales

TexSCAN:
CNHI
Marble Falls, The River Cities Daily Tribune
Seagoville, Suburbia News
Wilson County News

Texas 2x2:
CNHI
Wilson County News
Seguin Gazette-Enterprise

Contact Shawn Jones, network coordinator, at 800-749-4793 or shawnjones@texaspress.com for more information on how to make money selling network ads.

Board of Directors

OFFICERS:
President
Terry Collier,
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post;

First Vice President
Bob Brincefield,
Brownwood Bulletin;

Second Vice President
Chad Ferguson,
The Banner Press Newspaper, Columbus;

Treasurer
Russel Skiles,
Lamesa Press Reporter;

Chairman
Roy Robinson,
The Graham Leader

ELECTED DIRECTORS

Donnis Baggett,
The Eagle,
Bryan / College Station (2010)

Lisa Davis,
Wise County Messenger (2010)

Jim Bardwell,
The Gladewater Mirror (2011)

Rochelle Stidham,
Stephenville Empire Tribune (2011)

Greg Shrader,
Lufkin Daily News (2012)

Sue Elizondo,
Pleasanton Express (2012)

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Sandra Aven,
Plainview Daily Herald

Debbie Aylesworth,
The Canyon News

Roger Estlack,
The Clarendon Enterprise

Brandi Guy,
Thorndale Champion

Hank Hargrave,
Normangee Star

Randy Mankin,
Eldorado Success

Danny Reneau,
Silsbee Bee

Cyndy Slovak-Barton,
Hays Free Press


REGIONAL PRESIDENTS

Bill Woodall,
Kilgore News Herald,
North & East Texas Press Association

Laurie Ezzell Brown,
The Canadian Record,
Panhandle Press Association

Lisa Walter,
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post,
South Texas Press Association

Joyce Hauk,
Copperas Cove Leader Press,
Texas Gulf Coast Press Association

Melissa Perner,
Ozona Stockman,
West Texas Press Association


REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

Donnita Nesbit Fisher,
The Wylie News,
North & East Texas Press Association

Mary Smithee,
The Canadian Record,
Panhandle Press Association

Daniel Elizondo,
Pleasanton Express,
South Texas Press Association

Roy Sanders,
Burleson County Tribune,
Texas Gulf Coast Press Association

Mac McKinnon,
Dublin Citizen,
West Texas Press Association