We have utilized this probably more than anyone else in the county but never recall us actually making a post about it. The Texas Public Information Act gives everyone the ability to request and get copies of public records. These include emails, meeting minutes, copies of receipts, etc. The Texas Public Information Act says that the people "do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know."

The entities that are subject to the Public Information Act include county commissioners, municipal governing body, school districts, water districts, and really any entity that is supported in whole or in part by public funds. The act is enforced through the Office of the Attorney General of Texas (OAG). They have hotlines to help those who need help getting through 'issues'. We have run into many 'issues' in this county and have utilized the OAG sometimes to our satisfaction and sometimes not but it is there to help the people.

You can check out the Public Information 2008 Handbook which is available from the OAG Open Government site.