Digital disconnect is warranted AUSTIN – When written, passed and signed into law in the 1970s, there was no way of knowing that one day communications devices that easily fit into the palm of a hand could be used to circumvent the Texas Open Meetings Act. If state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, has his…

Ban sought on texting while lawmaking AUSTIN – Open Meetings Act addition would affect electronic communications by any public official at public meeting. On any given day when legislative committees gather, state lawmakers can be seen hammering away on BlackBerrys, iPhones and other mobile devices. But one powerful member of the Texas House wants to…

Local legislative delegation files 190 wide-ranging bills CORPUS CHRISTI — Coastal Bend legislators have authored 190 bills dealing with issues such as windstorm insurance, court redistricting, economic development and even a study of the way the state taxes boats. The local House delegation’s senior member, Todd Hunter, chairman of the influential Calendars Committee, authored 46…

No-texting bill is a needed step for open government CORPUS CHRISTI — State Rep. Todd Hunter has filed a bill that would advance the cause of government openness by prohibiting electronic communications by members of government bodies during public meetings. House Bill 2977 says a member of a government body “commits an offense if the…