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Asked & Answered

A&A: Records request denied due to ongoing investigation

FAC June 4, 2010

Q: I made a CPRA request for information regarding enforcement of a housing ordinance.  The response was that “the matter is under investigation.” How long can the CPRA be denied with the explanation that the matter is “under investigation” ? A: Under the Public Records Act, public records — which include “any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless

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A&A: Reporting closed sessions decisions

FAC June 4, 2010

Q: The city council has had an item on its closed session agenda for several weeks regarding a condo’s violation of a development agreement. The city manager said publicly that the council had reached a decision that “involves litigation,” but he did not discuss the details. No decision was announced after that city council meeting. I assumed that would mean an announcement would come at the next city council meeting following closed session. Again, this

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A&A: When Can A Newspaper Publish Documents Meant To Be Private?

FAC May 28, 2010

Q: I’m a freelance writer pursuing a story about another publication, but I’m concerned because much of the info we have consists of leaked internal company documents from a disgruntled ex-employee (a notice of tax lien, e-mails, bill collection notices). This is a private company, not a public or governmental entity, so I have no way of independently acquiring or verifying these same documents. Are we within our rights to use the documents in the

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A&A: Public Comment Limits Don’t Allow Time To Make Case

FAC May 28, 2010

Q: Our Irrigation District Board asks for input from the pubilc on agenda items. However, the Board puts a five-minute limit on each individual. The staff has no limits on discussion time, but members of the audience are limited, even when making a case that disagrees with what staff is recommending. They are not very nice about this severe limit. I am the president of the local taxpayers association, and I often present input from

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A&A: City Denies Critics Access To Information?

FAC May 28, 2010

Q: I was very concerned about the Dallas Morning News article from May 19, 2010: “JUDGE ORDERS CITY CRITIC TO AVOID OFFICIALS.”  Did the ruling affect any person requesting records? Because elected officials are the stewards of our tax money, I feel their actions should be available to the public. This situation truly concerns me and I would appreciate any help you could give me. A: My understanding is that the court order in question

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