Citizens have the right to request and obtain government information under the Texas Public Information Act, adopted in 1973. Section 552 of the Texas Government Code says the Act is primarily based on “the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people.”

During January-June of 2022, Shenandoah received 152 open record requests made by 78 individuals or companies.

 

In part, Section 552.221(a) of the Act requires governmental bodies to promptly produce public information, as soon as possible and without delay. In the annual Public Information Act handbook, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quoted James Bryce who said, “Sunlight kills the germs of corruption that can infect a government.”