PASADENA, Texas (AP) - A Houston suburb is being criticized for its lack of transparency and poor handling of public information requests.
The city of Pasadena has failed to respond to eight records requests from the Houston Chronicle (https://bit.ly/2rb8Gbz ) in a timely manner. Requests were for information such as invoices and details of a tax collection contract held by Mayor Johnny Isbell’s longtime friend.
The newspaper filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s office earlier this month.
Delays and excuses for not fulfilling public records requests are common in Pasadena, Councilman Ornaldo Ybarra said. He also questioned why campaign finance documents aren’t posted online.
“This pattern of activity is clearly and strongly against the public interest and completely undermines the American tradition of democratic participation,” said attorney Joe Larsen, who serves on the board of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
Court testimony by city officials show discussions about spending taxpayer money often happen in private.
The city’s Neighborhood Network program board decides in private how to award about $100,000 a year for beautification projects and other improvements. Earlier this year, courts found the program was used to benefit a redistricting measure that would’ve disenfranchised Hispanic voters.
“I don’t see how there could be any question” that the board meetings should be public, Larsen said. “Deciding who gets the money is the most fundamental of government decisions.”
The city’s televised council meetings are a result of a 1990s initiative by Isbell, who the Chronicle said declined an interview. However, much of the real business of council occurs during a pre-council meeting held a half-hour beforehand. The meeting is still open to the public but is off-screen in a smaller room.
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Information from: Houston Chronicle, https://www.houstonchronicle.com
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