Bill Aleshire will be our guest Thursday, February 3, at 7 pm (details below) to speak on the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act.

Aleshire served as Travis County Judge from 1987-1998 and Travis County Tax Collector from 1980-1985. Now in private law practice, Bill is well known for his depth of understanding of local government, being a straight shooter, and his willingness to work with folks of all persuasions for the common good. (He even loves our pets!) In addition, he donates his time to the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas as a Legal Hotline Attorney.

Bill Aleshire

Bring your questions for an informative Q&A. Have you ever been denied access to an open records request? What records can the government legally withhold? How can elected officials communicate with each other without violating the open meeting act? Do citizens have a right to read notes that city council members pass to each other during council meetings? You ask, he will answer!

Come to this important meeting. (We will also talk about appraisals & fair representation!)
Thursday, Feb. 3rd, 7 pm
Austin Energy Building (across from Palmer Auditorium)
721 Barton Springs Road, Assembly Room 130

Additional Agenda Items
City Hall’s Open Meetings Foibles Update
Property tax Protest Plan for 2011
ChangeAustin’s Fair Representation Position

Before you come, you might take a look at this video of the Attorney General’s on open meetings and ask yourself what part of this does the Council not understand. And check out the Friday Statesman editorial Bracing for the Storm.

Ordinary citizens, regardless of party, are disappointed with the lack of accountability and fiscal prudence we’re getting from leaders of all parties and all levels of government.