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Texas Attorney General Wants Cities Removed From Open Meetings Challenge
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says cities don’t have standing to challenge the state’s Open Meetings Act.
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Greg Abbott (File photo)
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3 Comments 
PECOS (February 2, 2010)--Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says in a brief filed Tuesday that four cities don't belong in a federal lawsuit that challenges the state's Open Meetings Act.
Abbott argued in the brief filed Tuesday in federal court in Pecos that Alpine, Pflugerville, Rockport, and Wichita Falls lack standing in the suit because they don't have First Amendment rights.
Abbott says that unlike 15 elected officials bringing the lawsuit, the cities are "creatures of the state" and can't make constitutional claims against the state.
The plaintiffs argue that the Texas Open Meetings Act shouldn't prevent some communication between elected officials outside of a posted meeting, including e-mails and messages from social networking sites.
Latest Comments
Anyone wanting to change the Open Meetings Act wants to hide something nefarious from the public eye---usually actions to further their own personal agenda, to hide their avarice & greed, and/or to avoid getting caught with their hand in the till. Corruption was the biggest worry of America's Founding Fathers. This unique experience called America would implode from within if corruption is not controlled by keeping laws in place that protect & allow a fully informed American public.
Although the Open Meetings Act should remain in place, you mean to tell me corporation have first amendment rights but towns don't. Mr. Abbott might want check the supreme court ruling made a couple of weeks ago and websters definition. a group of merchants or traders united in a trade guild b : the municipal authorities of a town or city.
The Law was made exactly to 'not' let the cities have their secret meetings!! Leave it as it is!!!
