KXAN, the NBC-TV affiliate in Austin, quoted Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Laura Prather in a report on preparation to promote increased government transparency during the 2019 session of the Texas Legislature.
Here’s an excerpt from the report:
"It's difficult to trust a government that doesn't let you have access to information about how they're spending your money," said Prather, a board member on the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. "I want to know how my taxpayer dollars are being spent."
Because of recent court rulings, it has become more difficult for the public to get information about how tax money is spent on government contracts. ...
Texas lawmakers filed bills in the last legislative session aimed at improving government transparency. Those did not pass. But supporters of the effort are hoping for more success in 2019. ...
"This is a broad-based, bipartisan effort," said Prather, whose group [FOIFT] belongs to the Texas Sunshine Coalition. "We have groups from both sides of the aisle." ...
"We have people from all sides coming together and crying out that transparency needs to be a priority this session," Prather said.
To watch or read the full report, click here.