Open Government Seminar series heads to Houston

The 2018 series of regional Open Government Seminars continues May 1 in Houston.
The free seminars are hosted by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The one-day seminars are designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and anyone interested in the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. The first session was held at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The next session is set Tuesday, May 1, at the Harris County Attorney’s Conference Center, Lower Level, 1019 Congress St. in Houston. 
“Access to public information is crucial for participating in our democracy. This seminar will help inform citizens and public officials about our state open government laws,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
A free morning session presented by the Texas Attorney General’s Office beginning at 9 a.m. will highlight the Texas Public Information Act and associated cost rules. 
A free afternoon session starting at 1:15 p.m. presented by attorney Joe Larsen of the Gregor Cassidy law firm and the FOI Foundation board will address the Texas Open Meetings Act. Participants may attend either or both sessions.
The Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act training sessions are approved by the Attorney General’s Office as meeting the state requirements for open government training for public officials. The sessions also qualify for Continuing Legal Education through the State Bar of Texas for attorneys and for continuing education credits for district and county clerks.
The event is sponsored by CourthouseDirect.com.
To register, visit the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas website at www.foift.org or contact the FOI Foundation office at 512-377-1575.