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TPA pushes for transparency reform
Legislative sessions are always hectic, but the 2019 session is one of the busiest ever for the Texas Press Association. As of the March 8 filing deadline for regular legislation, lawmakers filed 7,081 bills. That figure does not include 1,524 resolutions covering everything from birthday congratulations to calls for constitutional amendments.
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White Birch Paper ceases newsprint production at Bear Island facility
GREENWICH, Conn., (Press release) - White Birch Paper announced it will cease production of newsprint effective immediately at the Bear Island facility in Ashland, Va.
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Free speech, public’s right to know under attack in Texas – so let’s act now
We Texans are fiercely independent and like to make our views known. On that, surely, we can agree.
Using our First Amendment right to speak out goes hand in hand with access to public information that helps us understand how our government functions.
By Kelley Shannon, executive director, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
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NNA backing Electronic Court Records Reform Act
National Newspaper Association is throwing its weight behind a bill to ease the cost of obtaining federal court records. Rep. Doug Collins, R-GA, introduced the Electronic Court Records Reform Act, which will require the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to consolidate its electronic filing systems and drop the fees for general public access.
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Sunshine Week: It’s your right to know
The theme for Sunshine Week, March 10 - 16, is simple: “It’s Your Right to Know.”
“The reason it’s your right to know is that it’s your government,” said Jim Zachary, vice president, FOI trainer for the Georgia First Amendment Foundation and editor of the Valdosta, Georgia, Daily Times.
Zachary’s viewpoints on government transparency are straightforward:
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Critical legislative issues top busy agenda for TPA
Legislative sessions are always hectic, but the 2019 session could be one of the busiest ever for the Texas Press Association.
With the bill-filing deadline for regular legislation still two weeks away as of the Messenger’s deadline, lawmakers already had filed 4,259 pieces of legislation. The total could easily top 7,000 when the filing frenzy comes to an end.
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Subscribe to Democracy campaign provides free house ad artwork
Texas Press Association provides a special line of custom artwork for newspapers to use in promoting newspaper subscriptions.
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TPA members needed to help judge Tennessee Press Contests
Volunteers are needed to help judge the 2019 Tennessee State Press Contests, sponsored by the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Press Association. Judging periods begin March 25 and April 1.
Tennessee Press has two contests with two judging periods:
Editorial contest:
• Judging period starts March 25
• 45 to 50 judges needed
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TCEQ extends deadline for recycle newsprint reports to Feb. 28
The deadline for annual recycled newsprint reports has been extended this year to Feb. 28, according to Alex Frame of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Every year, TCEQ collects data on recycled newsprint. Texas law requires that newspaper publishers submit their reports to the TCEQ.
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Build relationships with state lawmakers before you need them
With what could be another challenging Texas legislative session on the horizon, now is the time to be building and cultivating relationships with lawmakers.
Guest opinion by Leonard Woolsey
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Turnover will mean new approaches as 2019 lawmakers reconsider reforms
Turnover among key personnel makes for interesting times in any institution — whether it’s a powerhouse football team or the Texas Legislature.
A number of players will be new to the blood sport of Texas politics — or at least new to their position — when lawmakers convene Jan. 8.
Analysis by Donnis Baggett, Texas Press Association
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Strong community, professional leaders comprise 2019 TNF Hall of Fame class
AUSTIN — Texas Newspaper Foundation announces the selection of three exemplary individuals — John William “Bill” Cooke, Donnis Baggett and Barney Hubbs — into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame for the year 2019.
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Postal task force releases final report, recommendations
The Task Force report on the United States Postal System released this week by the U.S. Department of the Treasury does not recommend privatizing the postal service.
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Texas Medical Association accepting entries for Anson Jones Awards
Jan. 10 is deadline for entries in the Texas Medical Association’s Anson Jones awards recognizing general interest journalists in 11 award categories tailored for print media by market size and story length, for online media, and for radio and television.
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NORPAC's appeal of ITC ruling striking down tariffs given little chance of success
North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), the hedge fund-owned paper mill in Washington state that lobbied for tariffs on Canadian newsprint, took the first steps towards appealing the U.S. International Trade Commission’s decision to lift the duties that had been imposed for several months this year.
