3 dailies sue DPS over travel vouchers

AUSTIN — The Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News have sued the Texas Department of Public Safety, claiming that the agency has violated open records laws by refusing to release copies of travel vouchers submitted by Gov. Rick Perry’s security detail.

Members of the security detail are entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred during trips, including those made out of state, and must claim those payments by submitting vouchers itemizing the expenses, the American-Statesman reported.

Cox Texas Newspapers LP and Hearst Newspaper LLC filed the suit Nov. 28 in state district court seeking a court order compelling the Department of Public Safety to make the documents available.

Over the summer the agency denied two reporters’ requests for the records under the Texas Public Information Act and sought an attorney general’s opinion on the release

On Aug. 31 Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled that the vouchers must be withheld because releasing them would violate the governor’s right to privacy by placing “the governor in imminent threat of physical danger,” the lawsuit says.

2 dailies win gag reversal

TEXAS CITY — The Galveston County Daily News and Houston Chronicle won their appeal of a state court’s gag order that barred jurors from talking about the first BP blasts trial.

Attorneys with pending cases in the March 2005 blasts that killed 15 and injured hundreds asked 212th State District Court Judge Susan Criss for a gag order.

Judge Criss granted the order barring jurors in the first trial, which ended in settlements before the jury could deliberate, from discussing the case with the media.

But the First State Court of Appeals overturned the order, saying it breached the First Amendment.

Medina residents petition AG

HONDO — Medina County residents turned in petitions and letters to the Attorney General’s Office, claiming that County Judge Jim Barden is violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Hondo Anvil Herald reported.

Their concerns stemmed from an item on the Oct. 22 Commissioners Court meeting agenda, which residents believe did not adequately describe the item to be considered.

Barden argued the agenda item was not related to a controversial planned subdivision.

SA parents head to court

SAN ANTONIO — Parents trying to keep South San Antonio West Campus

The district’s attorney said Supreme Court rulings show school districts are not required to specify what action will be taken or the possible outcome.