Victoria Advocate | "How to be your own Watchdog" by watchdog

How to be your own Watchdog

By watchdog in Watchdog
May 27, 2009

We here at the newspaper file an ungodly number of open records requests each year. Don't forget that you can, too.

Whether you want to learn the salary of a public official or the campaign finance spending of local candidates, Texas law says you are owed the answer.

The process is simple. You can write your request on a napkin.

Open records laws are called Sunshine laws because democracy works best when light is shined on the inner-workings of government.

If you want to be better informed, follow these simple tips:

Request the information in writing. The law is specific about this. While a local public official might share, or agree to share, information by phone, they are not legally obligated to follow through on verbal promises.

Be specific. Tell the agency exactly what you want. You don't have to tell them why you want the information. It's illegal for public officials to ask.

Request documents or other information that exist. As the Texas Attorney General's Office notes: "Governmental bodies are not required to answer questions or perform legal research."

The attorney general suggests you send the request by mail, but I've e-mailed, faxed and delivered requests in person. If you fax or e-mail a request, address the document to the Officer for Public Information or the chief administrative officer. Follow up to make sure the office received the request.

Government entities have 10 business days to tell you whether they plan to contest or honor your information request.

If you'd like to file a formal request, I can supply you with the two varieties you'll need.

If you want public information held by a local or state government entity, I'll give you a Texas Public Information Act request.

If you'd like to view federal documents, I can provide a Freedom of Information Act request.

While you can write your request of me on a napkin, I'll respond much quicker if I receive it in an e-mail. And I'll be less likely to use your request to clean the coffee stains stuck to my desk.

You can contact me at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com.

Gabe