FOI Foundation, Attorney General’s Office to hold DFW-area Open Government Seminar

AUSTIN — The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Denton for residents throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws.

The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Denton. It is designed for government employees, journalists and any citizens who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act.

“Texas open government laws allow citizens to access information and participate in our democracy. These laws also provide important guidelines for public employees who oversee government records and meetings,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.

The event will take place at the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home auditorium, 909 Greenlee St. The Attorney General’s Office will begin the day with training on the Texas Public Information Act at 9 a.m. followed by TPIA cost rules training. Those sessions are free.

The FOI Foundation will present an afternoon training session on the Texas Open Meetings Act by attorney Tom Williams, the foundation’s vice president, starting at 1:15 p.m. The afternoon session fee is $50 to help cover materials and other seminar costs.

Sponsoring the FOI Foundation seminar are the Denton Record-Chronicle, the University of North Texas and CourthouseDirect.com.

The sessions are approved by the Attorney General’s Office as meeting the state requirements for open government training for public officials. The daylong seminar also qualifies for Continuing Legal Education through the State Bar of Texas.

To register, visit the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas website at www.foift.org and go to the “Activities and Programs” tab. For further information contact the FOI Foundation office at 512-377-1575.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to enhancing the public’s right to know about their government and other public entities.  The organization is supported by tax-deductible donations, as well as grants from foundations and private citizens. More information is available at www.foift.org.  The Freedom of Information Foundation’s main offices are at 3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302 in Austin, Texas 78705.