Texas Legislators Approve Bills Closing records, Reject Shield Law

· Story link

Texas legislators chipped away at the public’s right to know in their just completed session. They’ve passed and sent to the governor several bills closing access to public information. One lets law enforcement temporarily seal search warrant affidavits. Another makes confidential information on the purchase or sale of land by several agencies until the deal is done. The third seals identifying information on recipients of the crime victims compensation fund. Lawmakers also rejected a reporter-source shield bill. (6/1/07)