State lawmakers in May 2021 approved key government transparency bills in the Texas Legislature, including measures featuring Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, to protect and promote greater access to public records after some governments closed off information during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to attorney Omar Ochoa. Openness, accountability, and honesty define government transparency. In a free society, transparency is government’s obligation to share information with citizens. It is at the heart of how citizens hold their public officials accountable. Gov. Gregg Abbott signed both bills – Senate Bill 1225, cosponsored by Canales, and Senate Bill 930, authored by ...