AG Paxton: Open Records Division Experiences Record-Setting Year for Public Information Requests and Opinions

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced that the Open Records Division of his office handled a record number of public information requests and issued an all-time record number of rulings during state fiscal year 2018. Between September 1 2017 and August 31 2018 the 60 employees in the attorney generals Open Records Division issued 30939 rulings a 6.6 percent increase over fiscal year 2017. They also handled over 50000 pieces of mail and responded to more than 10000 calls to the divisions open government hotline.

I applaud the outstanding work of the employees in our Open Records Division and their dedication to transparency and open decision-making both fundamental principles of the Texas Public Information Act Attorney General Paxton said. Open government elevates Texans to their proper role as partners in leadership. My office is here to protect that role.

The Open Records Division of the attorney generals office issues rulings and decisions that determine whether information is open to the public under the Public Information Act and other applicable laws. Each year the division receives thousands of letter briefs from governmental bodies seeking decisions on open records matters. Division staff also provide public information training across the state including an annual open government conference that accepted approximately 700 registrants this year. For more information visit https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/og/open-government or call the toll-free Open Government Hotline at 877-OPEN TEX (673-6839).